JP5118520B2 - Signal processing module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention belongs to a technical field of a signal processing module connected to an in-vehicle communication network for vehicle control, and particularly relates to a technique suitable for individually detecting an electromotive force of a power generating element constituting a fuel cell.

In recent years, various on-vehicle modules (control devices such as engines (or fuel cells), air conditioners, power steering, brakes, and measuring devices for temperature, pressure, etc.) mounted for electronic control of vehicles such as automobiles have been used in in-vehicle communication networks. (CAN (Controller Area Network) etc.).
In this way, advanced vehicle control is realized by the in-vehicle modules having high intelligence performing data communication with each other via the CAN bus.

On the other hand, a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell supplies fuel gas (hydrogen) and air (oxygen) to a single cell (power generation element) to obtain an electromotive force as a power source by an electrochemical reaction.
This type of fuel cell constitutes a fuel cell stack (power generation module) in which several tens to several hundreds of single cells are stacked and connected in series to output an electromotive force of several hundred volts as a whole.

  In this fuel cell stack, if an abnormality occurs in one of the single cells during power generation and power generation is delayed, this single cell may be damaged, and this damage may spread to other normal single cells. is there. For this reason, the fuel cell stack is configured so that the electromotive force (hereinafter referred to as “cell voltage”) can be measured individually for each single cell, and if an abnormality is found in any one single cell, damage will occur. The fuel cell stack stops power generation when it cannot be recovered.

A signal processing module for detecting such a cell voltage is arranged in the vicinity of the fuel cell stack, and a plurality of lead wires extending from the side surface of the single cell electrode (actually a separator) are joined to form a bundle. Connected to the tip of the harness.
Further, the signal processing module for detecting the cell voltage is connected to the CAN bus, sends the message of the detected cell voltage result of each cell to the CAN bus, monitors the power generation state of the fuel cell stack, and detects a failure. It is used to specify the presence or absence and its position (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).
JP 11-339828 A JP 2004-127776 A

  Incidentally, a signal processing module for detecting a cell voltage of a fuel cell stack is required to reduce the degree of circuit integration from the viewpoint of ensuring reliability. Therefore, the electronic circuit constituting the signal processing module can be divided into a plurality of circuit boards and stacked, and each circuit board can be defined by a different identifier (ID) and logically connected to the CAN bus separately. It is being considered.

In this case, the physical connection of the plurality of circuit boards is configured such that each of them is connected to the ends of a plurality of branch lines branched from the common circuit of the CAN bus.
As a result, the number of branch lines (wirings) to be connected is increased by the number of circuit boards divided for stacking, and there is a problem that the degree of freedom of layout in the installation space of the in-vehicle module is significantly limited. In addition, there are problems that prevent vehicle assembly and reduce costs.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal processing module that contributes to reducing the amount of bus wiring used in a vehicle that controls various in-vehicle modules through an in-vehicle communication network. And

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is connected to an in-vehicle communication network for vehicle control, and is connected to a fuel cell formed by stacking a plurality of power generation elements, and the electromotive force of the power generation elements is individually converted into analog signals. A signal processing module for detecting , a housing having a relay terminal connected to the in-vehicle communication network, and a first housing that is housed in the housing and connected to the in-vehicle communication network via the relay terminal A circuit board and a second connection terminal connected to a connection terminal provided on the first circuit board and stacked inside the housing, and connected to the in-vehicle communication network via the connection terminal and the relay terminal. And a circuit board.

With this configuration, even if the first circuit board (basic circuit board) and the second circuit board (additional circuit board) are separately logically connected to the in-vehicle communication network, the branch exists inside the housing. It will be. For this reason, the signal processing module that is physically connected to the in-vehicle communication network requires only one wiring that is not branched outside the casing.
Furthermore, with this configuration, it is possible to provide a signal processing module for detecting the cell voltage of a fuel cell stack configured by stacking hundreds of single cells in a space-saving manner on the design layout.

  Furthermore, the signal processing module according to the present invention provides the in-vehicle communication via a connection terminal and a relay terminal provided on each of the first circuit board and the two or more second circuit boards to be stacked. It is connected to a network.

  With this configuration, the electronic circuit constituting the signal processing module can be divided into three or more circuit boards and stacked.

  Further, the housing of the signal processing module according to the present invention includes a first frame (base frame) having the relay terminal, and a second frame (additional) stacked on the first frame and supporting the second circuit board. Frame).

  With this configuration, the signal processing module can expand its function by increasing or decreasing the number of second frames stacked in one first frame.

  Furthermore, the first frame of the signal processing module according to the present invention is located on an end face in the stacking direction with respect to the plurality of second frames to be stacked. Or it is located in the approximate center of the lamination direction with respect to the plurality of second frames to be laminated.

With this configuration, when the first frame is located on the end face, the layout flexibility of the wiring connecting the signal processing module and the in-vehicle communication network is improved.
Alternatively, when the first frame is located substantially at the center, the impedance of the circuit board stacked inside the signal processing module is lowered.

Furthermore, in the signal processing module according to the present invention, an input terminal for inputting an analog signal of the power generation element for vehicle control processed by the first circuit board and the second circuit board supports each circuit board. It is provided on the side surfaces of the first frame and the second frame.
Alternatively, an input terminal for inputting an analog signal of the power generation element for vehicle control processed by all circuit boards housed in the housing is provided on a side surface of the first frame. To do.

With this configuration, the expandability of the signal processing module is improved by providing the input terminals on the side surfaces of the first frame and the second frame constituting the housing.
Further, since the input terminal is provided only on the side surface of the first frame, the space for the analog signal input system can be reduced, which contributes to the downsizing of the signal processing module.

  The present invention provides a signal processing module that reduces the amount of bus wiring used and contributes to space saving on a design layout in a vehicle that controls various in-vehicle modules through an in-vehicle communication network.

Hereinafter, the signal processing module of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a signal processing module 10A according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the following description, the general description is not limited to the signal processing module 10A of the first embodiment, and the generalized description may be simply described as “signal processing module 10”.

As illustrated, the signal processing module 10A includes a housing 11 and a circuit board 20 (a basic circuit board 20A (first circuit board) and an additional circuit board 20B (second circuit board)) accommodated therein. Consists of
And the signal processing module 10 detects the cell voltage (element signal V) which is an analog signal by connecting the connection wiring 41 (41A, 41B) extending from the fuel cell 50 mounted on the vehicle 60 (see FIG. 8). To do. The connection wiring 41 is formed by forming lead wires corresponding to each single cell 51 (see FIG. 7) to be detected in a bundle shape.
Further, the signal processing module 10 is connected to a network wiring 16 of an in-vehicle communication network (CAN; Controller Area Network) and provides information (digital signal) necessary for controlling the vehicle 60.

The housing 11 is configured by laminating a basic frame 12 (first frame) that supports the basic circuit board 20A and an additional frame 13 (second frame) that supports the additional circuit board 20B.
As a result, the casing 11 can form a space in which the plurality of circuit boards 20 are stacked, and can be connected to the in-vehicle communication network by the network wiring 16 without branching.

The basic frame 12 (first frame) includes a relay terminal 15 to which the network wiring 16 is connected and an analog signal input terminal 40A, and supports the basic circuit board 20A in the inside (appropriately shown in FIG. 2). reference). The base frame 12 has a bottomed shape in which only one surface is opened, and one or more additional frames 13 are stacked on the opening surface and are positioned on the end surface of the housing 11.
Thereby, since the network wiring 16 can be arrange | positioned along the target object which fixes the signal processing module 10, the freedom degree of a layout improves.

The relay terminal 15 is connected to the network wiring 16 and guides the communication signal S and the supplied power P for communication with the in-vehicle communication network to the board terminal 25 provided on the basic circuit board 20A.
The relay terminal 15 and the board terminal 25 are places through which all communication signals S exchanged between the circuit board 20 and the in-vehicle communication network side, and the supply power P also passes through the respective circuits. It is supplied to the substrate 20.

The input terminals 40 (40A, 40B) are provided on the side surfaces of the basic frame 12 and the extension frame 13. The input terminals 40 (40A, 40B) are connected to connection wirings 41 (41A, 41B) extending from the fuel cell 50 (see FIG. 7), and the cell voltage (element signal V) is applied to the corresponding basic circuit board 20A. And the additional circuit board 20B.
In this way, the input terminal 40 can be provided on the respective side surfaces of the basic frame 12 and the extension frame 13 to configure the housing 11, so that the expandability of the signal processing module 10 is improved.

The extension frame 13 (second frame) has openings on both sides, is provided with analog signal input terminals 40B on the side surfaces, is arranged around the extension circuit board 20B, and supports the extension circuit board 20B on the support piece 18. Yes (see FIG. 3 as appropriate).
And the housing | casing 11 is formed by fastening one basic frame 12 and the 2 or more expansion frame 13 laminated | stacked on this in the fixing piece 17 provided in each.
Thereby, the signal processing module 10 can expand the function by increasing / decreasing the number of extension frames 13 stacked on one basic frame 12.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the basic circuit board 20A (first circuit board) includes an element signal wiring 21, an element side substrate terminal 22, a communication signal wiring 23, a power supply wiring 24, a network ( NW) side substrate terminal 25, cell voltage detection circuit (analog signal detection circuit) 26, communication circuit 27, power circuit 28, and connection terminal 30 </ b> A, and the basic frame 12 that is a part of the casing 11. Is housed inside.
Thereby, the basic circuit board 20 </ b> A is connected to the in-vehicle communication network via the relay terminal 15.

The extension circuit board 20B has the same configuration as the basic circuit board 20A, except that the network side board terminal 25 is not provided. The extension circuit board 20B is connected to the connection terminal 30B provided on the basic circuit board 20A via the connection terminal 30A and the relay terminal 15 by connecting the connection terminal 30B provided on the extension circuit board 20B. It connects to the in-vehicle communication network.
In addition, a plurality of additional circuit boards 20B can be connected to each other at connection terminals 30B and stacked. Thereby, the electronic circuit constituting the signal processing module 10 can be divided into three or more circuit boards 20 and stacked.

The element-side board terminal 22 is mounted on the circuit board 20 (20 </ b> A, 20 </ b> B), is mechanically detachably connected to the input terminal 40, and is transmitted via the input terminal 40. The element signal V is guided to the element signal wiring 21.
The element signal wiring 21 is configured to correspond one-to-one with the lead wires constituting the connection wiring 41.

  The network-side board terminal 25 is mounted on the basic circuit board 20A, and is mechanically detachably connected to the relay terminal 15, and the communication signal S transmitted via the relay terminal 15 and The supplied power P is led to the communication signal wiring 23 and the power supply wiring 24, respectively.

The detection circuit 26 scans and measures the cell voltage (analog signal V) guided by the element signal wiring 21, digitizes the measured value, and passes it to the communication circuit 27.
Although the description is simplified in the drawing, the analog signal V of the cell voltage guided to the detection circuit 26 is several tens corresponding to the number of single cells 51 constituting the fuel cell 50 (see FIG. 7). To hundreds.
The communication circuit 27 adds an identifier (ID) to the digital information of the cell voltage received from the detection circuit 26, packetizes it, and sends it to the communication signal wiring 23.

In CAN communication, the priority of communication is defined by the identifier (ID) included in the packet. When a collision occurs in the communication line, the module defined by the identifier (ID) having a low priority stops transmission, A module defined by an identifier (ID) having a high priority keeps transmitting.
In the CAN communication, the potential supplied to the CAN_Hi line and the CAN_Lo line constituting the communication signal wiring 23 is changed, and packet communication is executed with binary values of a recessive level and a dominant level.

  The power circuit 28 receives supply power P from a DC power supply (not shown) on the network wiring 16 via the power supply wiring 24, and the detection circuit 26 and the communication circuit 27 mounted on the circuit board 20. , And other circuit elements.

  The connection terminals 30 (30A, 30B) are provided on each of one basic circuit board 20A and one or more additional circuit boards 20B to be stacked, as shown in the longitudinal sectional view of FIG. Are connected to each other. A terminal 30C is provided at the end of the connection. As shown in the enlarged longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 4B, the connection terminal 30 includes a connection body 33, a first conductor 34, a second conductor 35, and a third conductor 36. It is configured.

  Here, the connection terminals 30A and 30B respectively provided on the basic circuit board 20A and the additional circuit board 20B are illustrated with different reference numerals, but there is no particular difference in structure. However, the connection terminal 30A provided on the basic circuit board 20A is different in that the first conductor 34 communicates with the network side board terminal 25 (see FIG. 2 as appropriate).

The coupling body 33 includes a first engagement portion 31 that opens on one surface of the circuit board 20 and a second engagement portion 32 that opens on the opposite surface, and the first engagement portion 31 is another coupling body. It is comprised so that it may mutually engage with the 2nd engaging part 32 of 33.
The first conductor 34 is a contact exposed on the first engagement portion 31 side and is electrically connected to the second conductor 35 which is a contact exposed on the second engagement portion 32 side. .
The third conductor 36 is a contact exposed on the first engagement portion 31 side, and is electrically connected to the communication signal wiring 23 or the power supply wiring 24.

When the connection terminals 30A and 30B are connected, the one second conductor 35 and the other first conductor 34 and the third conductor 36 come into contact with each other. Thereby, the first conductor 34 and the third conductor 36 of the connection terminal 30A are electrically connected to each other, and the first conductor 34 of the one connection terminal 30A and the first conductor 34 of the other connection terminal 30B are also electrically connected to each other. Will come to do.
Thus, the supply power P and the communication signal S from the network-side board terminal 25 are transmitted to all the circuit boards 20, and the communication signal S transmitted from these circuit boards 20 is also sent to the network-side board terminal 25. Can lead.

The connection terminal 30 is not shown in FIG. 4, but the first conductor 34, the second conductor 35, and the third conductor 36 form a pair of contacts, and are perpendicular to the drawing. A plurality of contact groups are arranged in the.
A part of the plurality of contact sets is connected to the power supply wiring 24 to participate in the supply of the supplied power P (see FIG. 1), and the other part is connected to the communication signal wiring 23 for communication. Involved in communication of signal S.

  Here, the communication signal wiring 23 in the CAN communication is classified into a CAN_Hi signal transmission line, a CAN_Lo signal transmission line, and a reference potential GND signal line, and the power supply wiring 24 is an extension of the network wiring 16 (not shown). A 12V vehicle battery is in contact.

  As described above, the basic circuit board 20A and the additional circuit boards 20B and 20B are defined by different identifiers (IDs), and are logically connected to the in-vehicle communication network separately. In addition, since the branch of the logical connection exists inside the housing 11, the network wiring 16 that physically connects the in-vehicle communication network and the signal processing module 10 needs to be one wiring without a branch. Therefore, the amount of wiring used is saved.

Second Embodiment
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a signal processing module 10B according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, about the function which is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, or respond | corresponds, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected in drawing, and description is abbreviate | omitted as using already demonstrated.

In the signal processing module 10B, the basic frame 12 is positioned substantially in the center with respect to the plurality of additional frames 13 to be stacked.
Accordingly, the bottom frame 12 is a bottomed one in the first embodiment, but it has a double-sided opening like the extension frame 13. Furthermore, lid surface frames 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B for closing the opening of the additional frame 13 are disposed on both end surfaces of the housing 11.
Further, the connection terminal 30A provided on the basic circuit board 20A includes a first conductor 34 and a second conductor 35 (see FIG. 4B), and these are connected to the board terminal 25.
Thus, by configuring the signal processing module 10B, the impedance of the circuit board 20 stacked inside the signal processing module 10 can be reduced.

<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a signal processing module 10C according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, about the function same or corresponding to 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected in drawing, and description is abbreviate | omitted as using the already demonstrated description.

In the signal processing module 10C, an input terminal 40 (40A, 40B, 40C) for inputting an analog signal V of a vehicle control element processed by all the circuit boards 20 housed in the housing 11 is a basic frame. 12 side surfaces are provided.
Accordingly, all the circuit boards 20 correspond to the input terminals 40A, 40B, and 40C, and include connection terminals 30D, 30E, and 30E that are connected in the stacking direction, respectively.
Here, the connection terminal 30 </ b> D functions to guide the guided element signal V to the detection circuit 26 on the same circuit board 20. Further, the connection terminal 30E functions so as to guide the guided element signal V to the other connection terminals 30D and 30E to be connected without being guided to the detection circuit 26 on the same circuit board 20. Such switching of the functions of the connecting terminal 30D and the connecting terminal 30E can be normally performed by setting such as switching of a switch (not shown) on the circuit board 20.

As described above, since all of the input terminals 40 (40A, 40B, 40C) are provided only on the side surface of the basic frame 12, for example, the extension frame 13 can be thinned, and space can be saved. This contributes to the downsizing of the signal processing module 10.
In addition, the basic circuit board 20A and the additional circuit board 20B can be made almost completely common, which contributes to cost reduction.

  The signal processing module 10 of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described so far. Specifically, the detected element signal V is not limited to the cell voltage of the fuel cell 50 (see FIG. 7), but is intended for other voltage / current measurement, temperature measurement, pressure measurement, and gas qualitative / quantitative measurement. In some cases, it is an analog signal. Further, the element signals V to be detected do not have to be the same among these purposes, and the circuit board 20 that detects different purposes may be stacked to constitute the signal processing module 10.

Although the case 11 is illustrated as being divided into the basic frame 12 and the extension frame 13, it may be a single body.
The in-vehicle communication network is not limited to CAN communication, and other communication methods can be applied. What is necessary is just to employ | adopt the thing suitable for the communication method to apply for the connection terminal 30 in that case.
Moreover, although the case where the 1st engaging part 31 and the 2nd engaging part 32 of the connection terminal 30 were provided in the connection body 33 which is an integral thing was shown, it is provided in the mutually opposing surface of the circuit board 20 by another body. May be.
Moreover, although description of embodiment demonstrated the thing which laminated | stacked three layers of the circuit boards 20, the thing of two layers and a form of four or more layers can also be taken.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a fuel cell in which the cell voltage is detected by the signal processing module according to the present invention.
In the fuel cell 50, a plurality of (for example, 200 to 400) single cells (power generation elements) 51 are stacked in the thickness direction, and both end surfaces thereof are sandwiched between a pair of high-rigidity plates 52 and 52 and a support rod 53. It has a configuration.

The single cell 51 is provided with an electrolyte membrane (not shown), an anode electrode and a cathode electrode respectively disposed on both surfaces thereof, a fuel gas (main component: hydrogen) channel, and an oxidizing gas (air) channel. The separator is a component.
The unit cell 51 configured as described above generates an electromotive force of about 0.7 V by an electrochemical reaction between the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas, and the fuel cell 50 formed by connecting the stacked unit cells 51 in series is: An electromotive force of several hundred volts is output as a whole.

On the other hand, the separator located at the boundary of each single cell 51 is provided with a terminal for measuring cell voltage (not shown), and this terminal is connected from the side surface of the fuel cell 50 toward the upper surface. It is connected to the wiring 41 (see FIG. 1 as appropriate).
As a result, an analog signal (element signal V) that is the cell voltage of the single cell 51 that constitutes the fuel cell 50 is detected by the cell voltage detection device (signal processing module) 10. Note that the detected cell voltage is not limited to only one single cell, and the electromotive force of several adjacent single cells may be detected collectively.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a vehicle equipped with a fuel cell in which the cell voltage is detected by the signal processing module according to the present invention.
The vehicle 60 is equipped with a fuel cell 50, a hydrogen tank 61, a compressor 62, a humidifier 63, a radiator 64 (heat radiator), and a control module including the cell voltage detection device 10.
By the way, although the cell voltage detection device 10 detects the cell voltage of a large number of single cells 51 stacked over several hundreds, the description is omitted in FIG. 7 and FIG. Since the wiring 16 (see FIG. 1) does not include a branch, the wiring 16 is provided in a space-saving manner in the design layout of the vehicle 60.

  Then, hydrogen fuel is sent from the hydrogen tank 61 and air is sent from the compressor 62, and the fuel cell 50 generates power. An electric travel motor (not shown) is connected to the output end of the fuel cell 50, and the vehicle 60 travels using the driving force of the travel motor.

  The cell voltage detector 10 and other control modules communicate with each other via a CAN bus (not shown). And the cell voltage detection apparatus 10 always monitors the cell voltage of the single cell 51, and determines the electric power generation state and the presence or absence of a failure. When the cell voltage detection device 10 finds an abnormality in a part of the single cell 51, the cell voltage detection device 10 transmits a notification to that effect to various control modules on the CAN and turns on the warning light on the driver's seat. Processing according to the sequence is executed.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the signal processing module which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the signal processing module which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the part of the extension (2nd) circuit board and extension (2nd) frame which are the components of the signal processing module which concerns on embodiment. (A) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the state which the connection terminal which is a component of the signal processing module which concerns on embodiment mutually connects, (b) is an expanded longitudinal cross-sectional view of this connection terminal. It is a disassembled perspective view of the signal processing module which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of the signal processing module which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. A fuel cell in which a cell voltage is detected by a signal processing module according to the present invention. A vehicle equipped with a fuel cell in which a cell voltage is detected by a signal processing module according to the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

10, 10A, 10B Cell voltage detection device (signal processing module)
11 Housing 12 Base frame (first frame)
13 Additional frame (second frame)
14, 14A, 14B Cover frame 15 Relay terminal 16 Network wiring 20, 20A Basic circuit board (first circuit board)
20, 20B Expansion circuit board (second circuit board)
21 element signal wiring 22 element side substrate terminal 23 communication signal wiring 24 power supply wiring 25 network side substrate terminal 30, 30A, 30B connection terminal 31 first engagement portion 32 second engagement portion 33 connection body 34 first conductor 35 Second conductor 36 Third conductor 40, 40A, 40B Analog signal input terminal 41 Connection wiring 50 Fuel cell 51 Single cell (power generation element)
60 Vehicle S Communication signal V Analog signal (element signal)

Claims (7)

Is connected to the vehicle communication network for vehicle control, there is connected to the fuel cell formed by stacking a plurality of power generation elements electromotive force of the power generating element a signal processing module for detecting separately as an analog signal,
A housing having a relay terminal connected to the in-vehicle communication network;
A first circuit board housed in the housing and connected to the in-vehicle communication network via the relay terminal;
A second circuit board connected to the in-vehicle communication network via the connection terminal and the relay terminal while being connected to the connection terminal provided on the first circuit board and stacked inside the housing; And a signal processing module. The signal processing module according to claim 1,
A signal that is provided on each of one first circuit board and two or more second circuit boards to be stacked, and is connected to the in-vehicle communication network via a connection terminal and a relay terminal that are connected to each other. Processing module. The signal processing module according to claim 1 or 2,
The housing is
A first frame comprising the relay terminal;
A signal processing module comprising: a second frame stacked on the first frame and supporting the second circuit board. The signal processing module according to claim 3.
The signal processing module, wherein the first frame is located on an end face in a stacking direction with respect to the plurality of second frames to be stacked. The signal processing module according to claim 3.
The signal processing module according to claim 1, wherein the first frame is positioned substantially in the center in the stacking direction with respect to the plurality of second frames to be stacked. The signal processing module according to claim 4 or 5,
Input terminals for inputting analog signals of the power generation elements for vehicle control processed by the first circuit board and the second circuit board support the first circuit board and the second frame, respectively. The signal processing module is provided on a side surface of the apparatus. The signal processing module according to claim 4 or 5,
An input terminal for inputting an analog signal of the power generation element for vehicle control processed on all circuit boards housed in the housing is provided on a side surface of the first frame. Processing module.

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