JP6140465B2 - Relay connector unit and electronic device control system including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay connector unit and an electronic device control system including the relay connector unit.

  The vehicle is equipped with an electronic control device and a plurality of electronic devices controlled by the electronic control device, and the electronic control device and the plurality of electronic devices are connected via, for example, a junction box ( As an example, refer to Patent Document 1). FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional junction box 810 and a plurality of electronic devices 40 connected thereto. Such a junction box 810 is connected to a mixture of electronic devices 40 that are directly driven, electronic devices 40 that are driven via joints, and the like.

JP 2012-105502 A

  However, since the conventional junction box merely connects the electronic control device and the electronic device, the junction box detects, for example, an electrical failure (short circuit, disconnection, etc.) of the electronic device. There was a problem that I could not.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a relay connector unit that enables detection of the state of an electronic device connected thereto in a junction box and an electronic device control system including the relay connector unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is a relay connector unit that relays connection between a junction box and one or more electronic devices, wherein the state of the one or more electronic devices is determined. The relay connector unit is configured to detect and output state information indicating the state of the one or more electronic devices to the junction box.

  The invention described in claim 2 is the invention described in claim 1, wherein the state of the electronic device includes a disconnection state and a short circuit state in the electronic device, and a disconnection state and a short circuit in a circuit up to the electronic device. One or a plurality of states selected from the states are included.

  In order to achieve the above object, an invention described in claim 3 is an electronic device control system including a junction box to which a plurality of electronic devices are connected, and an output device connected to the junction box. The relay connector unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one or a plurality of relay devices that relay connection between the junction box and one or more electronic devices included in the plurality of electronic devices are provided. And the junction box generates display information indicating a state of at least one of the plurality of electronic devices connected to the junction box based on the state information from the one or more relay devices. And output to the output device, the output device from the junction box Is an electronic device control system according to claim being configured to output the information corresponding to the serial display information.

  According to the first aspect of the invention, the relay connector unit that relays the connection between the junction box and the one or more electronic devices detects the state of the one or more electronic devices, and the one or more electronic devices are detected. Since the state information indicating the state of the electronic device is configured to be output to the junction box, the state of one or more electronic devices connected via the relay connector unit can be detected in the junction box. Further, since the connection between the junction box and the plurality of electronic devices is relayed by the relay connector unit, the connection between the relay connector unit and the one or more electronic devices can be performed without changing the connection between the relay connector unit and the junction box. Therefore, for example, when the configuration of the electronic equipment to be equipped differs depending on the grade of the vehicle, the difference in the configuration between the grades can be absorbed by the relay connector unit. Can be shared.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the state of the electronic device detected by the relay connector unit includes the disconnection state and the short circuit state in the electronic device, and the disconnection state and the short circuit state in the circuit up to the electronic device. Since one or more states selected from the above are included, it is possible to detect an electrical failure in the electronic device and the circuit up to the electronic device.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, each of the one or more relay connector units detects the state of the one or more electronic devices, and provides the state information indicating the state of the one or more electronic devices. Output to junction box. The junction box generates display information indicating the status of at least one of the plurality of electronic devices connected to the junction box based on the status information from one or more relay devices, and outputs the display information to the output device To do. And an output device outputs the information according to the display information from a junction box. Therefore, it is possible to detect the state of one or more electronic devices connected via one or more relay connector units in the junction box and output the state of the electronic devices connected to the junction box in the output device. Therefore, the state of the electronic device mounted on the vehicle can be transmitted to the user through the output device.

It is a schematic block diagram of the electronic device control system which is one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically a mode that the electronic device control system of FIG. 1 was arrange | positioned at the vehicle. It is a perspective view of the relay connector unit with which the electronic device control system of FIG. 1 is provided. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation | movement which detects the state of the electronic device in the electronic device control system of FIG. (A) is an example of a screen indicating that an electronic device connected to the electronic device control system is in a normal state, and (b) is an example of a screen indicating that the electronic device is in an abnormal state. It is the schematic which shows the connection of the conventional junction box and a some electronic device.

  Hereinafter, an electronic device control system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electronic device control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a state in which the electronic device control system of FIG. 1 is arranged in a vehicle. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a relay connector unit provided in the electronic device control system of FIG. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of an operation of detecting the state of the electronic device in the electronic device control system of FIG. FIG. 5A is an example of a screen indicating that an electronic device connected to the electronic device control system is in a normal state, and FIG. 5B is an example of a screen indicating that the electronic device is in an abnormal state. is there.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic device control system (indicated by reference numeral 1 in the figure) is mounted on a vehicle, and includes a junction box 10, a relay connector unit 20 as a plurality of relay devices, and a display device 30. ,have.

  The electronic device control system 1 includes, for example, (i) various actuators such as a motor for performing opening / closing of a window and angle adjustment of a door mirror via a plurality of relay connector units 20 in a junction box 10, and (ii) a stop. Various electronic devices 40 such as various lamps such as lamps and direction indicating lamps, (iii) various sensors such as half-door detection sensors, switches (iv) various sub-ECUs (Electronic Control Units), etc. are connected through a wire harness as a circuit Has been.

  The junction box 10 includes a fuse unit and a relay unit (not shown). The junction box 10 connects a power supply device (not shown) to the plurality of electronic devices 40 indirectly or directly via a plurality of relay connector units 20 (described later) through the fuse unit and the relay unit.

  Moreover, this junction box 10 has a control part comprised, for example with the microcomputer. In this control unit, a main ECU (not shown) mounted on the vehicle, a plurality of relay connector units 20 and a display device 30 are communicably connected.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit of the junction box 10 is connected to a CAN (Controller Area Network) communication signal line C including a wire harness arranged in the vehicle, and the CAN communication protocol is also used. Communication with the main ECU and the display device 30 connected to the communication signal line C is enabled. The control unit is also connected to a LIN (Local Interconnect Network) communication signal line L composed of a wire harness, and a plurality of relay connector units connected to the LIN communication signal line L using the LIN communication protocol. 20 is communicable.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of relay connector units 20 are arranged in each area in the vehicle such as a front part, a rear part, and a part near the left and right doors. A device 40 is connected. In other words, the plurality of electronic devices 40 arranged in each area in the vehicle are distributed and connected to one of the plurality of relay connector units 20. As shown in FIG. 3, each relay connector unit 20 includes a connector unit 25, a unit control unit 26 built in the connector unit 25, and a plurality of press contact terminals 27.

  The connector portion 25 includes a connector housing 25a and a plurality of terminal fittings 25b, and has a mating connector portion that is paired with the connector portion 25 provided on the above-described LIN communication signal line L (that is, a wire harness). It can be connected to a connector (not shown). The unit control unit 26 includes an IC chip (not shown) including a microcomputer and a mold resin that seals the IC chip. A plurality of terminal fittings 25b and a plurality of press contact terminals 27 are connected to the IC chip. One or more electronic devices 40 are connected to the plurality of press contact terminals 27 through lead wires 28. The number of electronic devices 40 connected to one relay connector unit 20 is appropriately determined depending on the area in the vehicle where the relay connector unit 20 is disposed. The number of the plurality of press contact terminals 27 of the relay connector unit 20 shown in FIG. 2 is six, but this is an example, and the relay connector unit 20 has an IC chip or the like according to the number of electronic devices 40 connected thereto. A plurality of press contact terminals 27 and the like are configured.

  The relay connector unit 20 (specifically, an IC chip) receives, for example, a control signal from the junction box 10 and transmits it to the electronic device 40 indicated by the destination information included in the control signal, In addition, a response signal from the electronic device 40 is relayed, transmission source information is added to the response signal, and the response signal is transmitted to the junction box 10. That is, the relay connector unit 20 relays communication between the junction box 10 and the electronic device 40. Further, the relay connector unit 20 may relay power supply between the junction box 10 and the electronic device 40. Further, the relay connector unit 20 may control power supply to and disconnection from the electronic device 40. In the present embodiment, a plurality of relay connector units 20 are provided. However, only one relay connector unit 20 may be provided. In addition, although a plurality of electronic devices 40 are connected to the relay connector unit 20, only one electronic device 40 may be connected. Further, the relay connector unit 20 detects the state of the plurality of electronic devices 40 connected thereto when the vehicle is started (when the ignition switch is turned on), and also outputs state information indicating the detected state of the electronic devices to the junction box 10. Send to.

  The display device 30 is, for example, a multi-display unit (various information display unit) composed of a liquid crystal display device in a combination meter (not shown) disposed on an instrument panel of a vehicle. The display device 30 is connected to the CAN communication signal line C. For example, the display device 30 receives a signal from the main ECU, the junction box 10 or the like, and displays information indicated by the signal. The display device 30 corresponds to an example of an output device.

  Next, an example of the operation of the electronic device control system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In this electronic device control system 1, an electronic device 40A1 and an electronic device 40A2 included in the plurality of electronic devices 40 are arranged in an area A in a vehicle, and the electronic devices 40A1 and 40A2 are connected to the plurality of relay connectors. It is connected to the relay connector unit 20A included in the unit. In addition, an electronic device 40B1 and an electronic device 40B2 included in the plurality of electronic devices 40 are arranged in an area B in the vehicle. The electronic device 40B1 and the electronic device 40B2 are relays included in the plurality of relay connector units 20. It is connected to the connector unit 20B. In FIG. 4, the relay connector units 20A and 20B and the plurality of electronic devices 40A1, 40A2, 40B1, and 40B2 arranged in the area A and the area B in the vehicle are described as examples, and arranged in other areas. The relay connector unit 20 and the plurality of electronic devices 40 are not shown, but the same operation as described below is performed for these omitted portions.

  When the ignition switch is turned on in the vehicle, the junction box 10, the display device 30, the relay connector units 20A and 20B, and the plurality of electronic devices 40A1, 40A2, 40B1, and 40B2 are turned on (T1). The relay connector unit 20A activated by turning on the power detects the state of the electronic device 40A1 and the electronic device 40A2 connected to the relay connector unit 20A (T2, T3). As a method for detecting the state of each electronic device, for example, (i) a short-circuit state and a disconnection state from the amount of current flowing through the electronic device (specifically, a disconnection state and a short-circuit state in the electronic device and (Ii) After starting up the electronic device, a diagnostic signal for confirming a predetermined state is transmitted to the electronic device, and the diagnosis result is detected. A normal operation state, an abnormal operation state, or the like is detected based on the signal. Then, the relay connector unit 20A generates state information indicating the states of the electronic device 40A1 and the electronic device 40A2, and transmits the state information to the junction box 10 (T5). In FIG. 4, the relay connector unit 20A transmits, as an example, state information indicating that both the electronic device 40A1 and the electronic device 40A2 are in a normal state. Also, in the relay connector unit 20B activated by turning on the power, the state of the electronic device 40B1 and the electronic device 40B2 is detected (T4, T5) in the same manner as the relay connector unit 20A, and state information indicating the state is displayed. It is generated and transmitted to the junction box 10 (T7). In FIG. 4, the relay connector unit 20B transmits, as an example, state information indicating that the electronic device 40B1 is in a normal state and the electronic device 40A2 is in an abnormal state.

  In the present embodiment, the state of the electronic device includes a disconnection state and a short-circuit state in the electronic device, and a disconnection state and a short-circuit state in the circuit up to the electronic device, but is not limited thereto. is not. For example, the state of the electronic device may include only the normal operation state and the abnormal operation state described above. However, the state of the electronic device may include one or more states selected from a disconnected state and a shorted state in the electronic device and a disconnected state and a shorted state in the circuit up to the electronic device. desirable.

  When the junction box 10 receives status information from all the relay connector units 20 including the relay connector units 20A and 20B, the junction box 10 collects the status information and generates display information indicating the status of the plurality of electronic devices 40. If all of the plurality of electronic devices 40 connected to the junction box 10 are normal, the junction box 10 generates information for displaying that all are normal as shown in FIG. 5A, for example. Or, if there is an abnormality in a part of the plurality of electronic devices 40, information for displaying the presence of an abnormality and the location of the abnormality as shown in FIG. 5B is generated and displayed. It transmits to the apparatus 30 (T8). In FIG.5 (b), as an example, it has shown that there exists abnormality in the electronic device 40 mounted in the door of the vehicle.

  When the display device 30 receives the display information from the junction box 10, the display device 30 displays information shown in the display information, for example, a screen as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B to indicate the state of the electronic device. (T9).

  The relay connector unit 20 of the present embodiment described above relays the connection between the junction box 10 and one or a plurality of electronic devices 40. The relay connector unit 20 is configured to detect the state of the one or more electronic devices 40 and to transmit state information indicating the state of the one or more electronic devices 40 to the junction box 10.

  In addition, the electronic device control system 1 according to this embodiment includes a junction box 10 to which a plurality of electronic devices 40 are connected, and a display device 30 connected to the junction box 10. The electronic device control system 1 is provided with one or more relay connector units 20 that relay the connection between the junction box 10 and one or more electronic devices 40 included in the plurality of electronic devices 40. The junction box 10 generates display information indicating the states of the plurality of electronic devices 40 connected to the junction box 10 based on the state information from the one or more relay connector units 20 and transmits the display information to the display device 30. It is configured. The display device 30 is configured to display information corresponding to display information from the junction box 10.

  As described above, according to the relay connector unit 20 of the present embodiment, the relay connector unit 20 that relays the connection between the junction box 10 and the one or more electronic devices 40 detects the state of the one or more electronic devices 40. Thus, since the state information indicating the state of the one or more electronic devices 40 is configured to be transmitted to the junction box 10, the one or more connected to the junction box 10 via the relay connector unit 20. The state of the electronic device 40 can be detected. Further, since the connection between the junction box 10 and the plurality of electronic devices 40 is relayed by the relay connector unit 20, the relay connector unit 20 and one or a plurality of relay connector units 20 can be connected without changing the connection between the relay connector unit 20 and the junction box 10. The connection with the electronic device 40 can be changed. For example, when the configuration of the electronic device 40 is different depending on the grade of the vehicle, the difference in the configuration between the grades is absorbed by the relay connector unit 20. Therefore, the junction box 10 can be shared.

  The state of the electronic device 40 detected by the relay connector unit 20 includes the disconnection state and the short circuit state of the electronic device (specifically, the disconnection state and short circuit state in the electronic device and the circuit to the electronic device). Therefore, it is possible to detect an electrical failure in the electronic device 40 and the circuit up to the electronic device 40.

  Moreover, according to the electronic device control system 1 of the present embodiment, each of the one or more relay connector units 20 detects the state of the one or more electronic devices 40 connected thereto, and Status information indicating the status of the electronic device 40 is output to the junction box 10. The junction box 10 generates display information indicating the states of the plurality of electronic devices connected to the junction box 10 based on the state information from the one or more relay connector units 20 and outputs the display information to the display device 30. Then, the display device 30 displays information corresponding to the display information from the junction box 10. Therefore, the state of one or a plurality of electronic devices 40 connected via the one or more relay connector units 20 in the junction box 10 is detected, and the electronic device 40 connected to the junction box 10 in the display device 30 is detected. Since the state can be displayed, the state of the electronic device 40 mounted on the vehicle can be transmitted to the user through the display device 30. As a result, when there are no defects in the electronic devices mounted on the vehicle, it is displayed that all the electronic devices are in a normal state, giving the user a sense of security, and the electronic devices mounted on the vehicle. If there is a defect, it is displayed that some electronic devices and the like are in an abnormal state, and the user can recognize the defective part and promptly repair it, thereby improving safety.

  While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the states of a plurality of electronic devices are displayed on the multi-display unit in the combination meter. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the status of a plurality of electronic devices may be displayed on the display of the car navigation device, or notified by sound or voice from a speaker provided in the combination meter or the car navigation device (that is, display in a broad sense). You may make it do. That is, as long as the object of the present invention is not violated, an output device that outputs information corresponding to display information from the junction box 10 may be provided.

  In addition, embodiment mentioned above only showed the typical form of this invention, and this invention is not limited to embodiment. That is, those skilled in the art can implement various modifications in accordance with conventionally known knowledge without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course, such modifications are included in the scope of the present invention as long as the relay connector unit and the electronic device control system of the present invention are configured.

1 Electronic Device Control System 10 Junction Box 20 Relay Connector Unit (Relay Device)
30 Display device (output device)
40 Electronic equipment

Claims (3)

A relay connector unit that relays connection between a junction box and one or more electronic devices,
A relay connector unit configured to detect a state of the one or more electronic devices and to output state information indicating the state of the one or more electronic devices to the junction box.   2. The relay connector unit according to claim 1, wherein the state of the electronic device includes a disconnected state and a shorted state in the electronic device, and a disconnected state and a shorted state in a circuit up to the electronic device. . In an electronic device control system comprising a junction box to which a plurality of electronic devices are connected, and an output device connected to the junction box,
One or more relay devices that relay the connection between the junction box and one or more electronic devices included in the plurality of electronic devices are provided,
The relay device is the relay connector unit according to claim 1 or 2,
The junction box generates display information indicating a state of at least one electronic device among a plurality of electronic devices connected to the junction box based on the state information from the one or more relay devices. Configured to output to an output device,
The electronic device control system, wherein the output device is configured to output information corresponding to the display information from the junction box.

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