JP7033487B2 - Vehicle connector device and vehicle control device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle connector device and a vehicle control device to which an electric module is connected.

In recent years, in vehicles such as EV (Electric Vehicle) or HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), an electric module driven by high voltage may be connected as an option to a junction box that distributes or transmits the power of a high voltage battery. .. Examples of such an electric module include a heater for adjusting the temperature of the battery, a power supply device for supplying an AC power source equivalent to a commercial power source to the vehicle interior, a non-contact charging device for the battery, and the like.

Conventionally, an interlock technique is generally known in which a terminal to which a high voltage is applied can be exposed for work, while a high voltage applied to the terminal is automatically cut off when the terminal is exposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an interlock mechanism is added to a configuration in which a seal cover can be attached to and detached from an opening that exposes terminals. The opening is provided with a standby terminal of an interlock mechanism, while the seal cover is provided with an interlock connector connected to the standby terminal. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which an interlock mechanism is added to a unit having a maintenance lid. This unit has a connector to which the battery and the inverter are connected, and is configured to switch the interlock switch when the connector is disconnected and when the maintenance lid is disconnected. ing.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-091809 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-302514

Even if it is the same model, the optional electric module may or may not be installed depending on the user's choice. When the electric module is not installed, the connector to which the electric module is connected is exposed in the engine room or the like as it is, so it is preferable that the lid is connected to the connector to cover the terminal.

In recent years, the number of optional electric modules has been increasing. For this reason, it has become difficult to protect the contact by using only layout means such as arranging the connector portion of the junction box to which the electric module is connected in a place where it is difficult for the user to contact. In addition, it is difficult to completely protect the contact of the connector portion by mechanical means such as tamper-proof. Therefore, it is desired that such a connector portion be provided with an interlock mechanism as in the above-mentioned prior art.

The control content of the ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that electrically controls the vehicle differs depending on whether the optional electric module is mounted on the vehicle or not. Conventionally, as a method of making the control contents of the ECU different, there is a method of selecting an ECU or changing the setting data written in the ECU. However, such a method has a problem that the number of ECU product numbers increases as the number of options increases, which leads to an increase in cost. On the other hand, if the ECU newly provides a configuration in which the presence or absence of the electric module can be determined in order to switch the control content, there is a problem that the cost increases due to the provision of the new configuration.

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle connector device and a vehicle control device capable of simultaneously protecting the contact of a connection terminal to which an electric module is connected and determining the presence or absence of the electric module.

The invention according to claim 1 is a vehicle connector device.
A connector part to which a plurality of connection terminals are provided and a module connector part of an electric module is connected, or a lid for hiding the plurality of connection terminals is connected.
A detection signal that can distinguish between a state in which the module connector portion is connected to the connector portion, a state in which the lid is connected, and a state in which neither the module connector portion nor the lid is connected is generated. Detection circuit and
It is characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 2 is the connector device for the vehicle according to claim 1.
The plurality of connection terminals include a power supply terminal to which a power supply voltage is supplied and a detection terminal for connection detection.
The module connector portion is provided with a first circuit that is electrically connected to the detection terminal when the module connector portion is connected to the connector portion.
The lid is provided with a second circuit that is electrically connected to the detection terminal when the lid is connected to the connector portion and has a different configuration from the first circuit.
The detection circuit is electrically connected to the first circuit or the second circuit via the detection terminal, and is characterized in that the detection signal is generated according to the connection.

The invention according to claim 3 is the connector device for the vehicle according to claim 2.
The detection terminal includes a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal.
The first circuit is a circuit for grounding the first detection terminal or the second detection terminal.
The second circuit is characterized in that it is a circuit that short-circuits the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal.

The invention according to claim 4 is the connector device for the vehicle according to claim 3.
The detection circuit has a first resistance connected between the first potential point and the first detection terminal, and a second resistance connected between the second potential point and the second detection terminal. It is characterized by that.

The invention according to claim 5 is a vehicle control device including the vehicle connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a control unit for electrically controlling the vehicle. ,
The control unit is characterized in that it determines the presence or absence of the electric module and performs interlock control based on the detection signal.

According to the present invention, it is possible to detect a state in which the module connector part or the lid is connected to the connector part and a state in which both are not connected based on the output of the detection circuit. Therefore, the connector part is based on this detection result. Interlock control can be performed to protect the connection terminals from contact. Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to detect a state in which the module connector portion is connected to the connector portion and a state in which the lid is connected based on the output of the detection circuit. It is possible to distinguish whether a module is installed or not. As a result, it is possible to determine the option setting selected in the vehicle in which a plurality of electric modules can be mounted as options. Since the detection circuit can be used for both interlock control and option setting discrimination processing, cost can be reduced.

It is a block diagram which shows the main part of the vehicle of the embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detail of the connector part of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the electric module is connected to the connector part of a junction box. It is a figure which shows the state which the lid is connected to the connector part of a junction box. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the start processing executed by the control unit. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the interlock control executed by the control unit.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a vehicle equipped with a connector device and a control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The vehicle 1 according to the present embodiment is an electric vehicle such as an EV or HEV. The vehicle 1 distributes the electric power of the drive wheel 2, the traveling motor 11 that drives the driving wheel 2, the inverter 12 that outputs the driving current to the traveling motor 11, the high voltage battery 13 that stores the electric power for traveling, and the high voltage battery 13. Alternatively, it includes a junction box 14 for transmission and a control unit 20. Vehicle 1 can also optionally be equipped with several electrical modules. The electric module includes, for example, a non-contact charging device 16 that receives electric power from an external facility of the vehicle 1 in a non-contact manner to charge a high-voltage battery 13, a power supply device 17 that supplies AC power to the vehicle interior, and selectively. There is a heater 18 that adjusts the temperature of the high voltage battery 13. Of these, any of the control unit 20, the connector units 16b, 17b, 18b of the electric module, or the lid 19 described later, and the portion including the junction box 14 constitutes the control device 100 of the vehicle 1.

The junction box 14 is provided with a plurality of connector portions 14b to which a plurality of electric modules can be connected. When the non-contact charging device 16, the power feeding device 17, or the heater 18 is mounted on the vehicle 1, the harnesses 16a, 17a, 18a are connected to the plurality of connector portions 14b of the junction box 14 to supply power. Connector portions 16b, 17b, 18b are provided at the tips of the harnesses 16a, 17a, 18a. Here, the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, the connector portions 16b, 17b, 18b of the electric module, and the lid 19 described later correspond to an example of the connector device according to the present invention. The connector portions 16b, 17b, and 18b correspond to an example of the module connector portion according to the present invention.

The junction box 14 is provided with a plurality of relays so that the power line of the high voltage battery 13, the power line of the inverter 12, and the power line of each of the optional electric modules can be connected or disconnected from each other. The relay is switched by the control of the control unit 20.

The control unit 20 electrically controls the vehicle 1. The control unit 20 may be configured by one ECU, or may be configured in a form in which a plurality of ECUs cooperate with each other. The ECU is a microcomputer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a control program, a storage device that stores the control program and control data, and an I / O port that inputs and outputs signals.

The control unit 20 controls to drive the inverter 12 to drive the vehicle according to the driving operation of the driver. In the traveling control, the control unit 20 controls the relay of the junction box 14 when the system of the vehicle is started and when the system is terminated, and switches the connection between the power line of the high voltage battery 13 and the power line of the inverter 12.

The control unit 20 does not control the electric module when the optional electric module is not installed while the system of the vehicle 1 is running, and when the optional electric module is installed, the control unit 20 does not control the electric module. To control about. For example, if the non-contact charging device 16, the power feeding device 17, and the heater 18 are mounted, the control unit 20 controls the drive control and error monitoring of these.

Further, the control unit 20 performs interlock control based on the detection signal from the junction box 14. For example, when the control unit 20 detects that the power supply terminal 141 (see FIG. 2) of the junction box 14 is exposed to the outside, the control unit 20 switches the connection of the relay 14d to obtain a high voltage from the power supply terminal 141. Stops the output of.

<Details of the connector part>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing details of the connector portion of FIG. 1.

The connector portion 14b of the junction box 14 receives a detection signal according to the connection state of the power supply terminal 141 to which the power supply voltage is supplied to transmit power, the detection terminals 142a and 142b for connection detection, and the detection terminals 142a and 142b. The detection circuit 143 to be generated is included. Although omitted in FIG. 2, the connector portion 14b may include a terminal for transmitting data or an information signal. The connector portion 18b or the lid 19 of the electric module can be connected to the connector portion 14b. The power supply terminal 141 and the detection terminals 142a and 142b correspond to an example of the connection terminals according to the present invention. The detection terminals 142a and 142b correspond to an example of the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal according to the present invention.

The power supply terminal 141 comes into contact with the power supply terminal 181 of the electric module when the connector portion 18b of the electric module is connected to the junction box 14. A high voltage is input or output to the power supply terminal 141 in order to transmit electric power from the high voltage battery 13 to the electric module or to transmit electric power for charging from the electric module to the high voltage battery 13. Inside the junction box 14, a relay 14d for opening and closing a power line connected to a power supply terminal 141 is provided.

The detection terminals 142a and 142b come into contact with the detected terminals 182a and 182b of the electric module when the connector portion 18b of the electric module is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14. On the other hand, the detection terminals 142a and 142b come into contact with the detected terminals 192a and 192b of the lid 19 when the lid 19 is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14. The detection terminals 142a and 142b are composed of two terminals in this embodiment, but may be one terminal or three or more terminals.

The detection circuit 143 has a state in which the detected terminals 182a and 182b of the electric module are connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b, a state in which the detected terminals 192a and 192b of the lid 19 are connected, and both are not connected. Identifiable the condition. Then, the detection circuit 143 generates a detection signal according to these states. Specifically, the detection circuit 143 includes a first resistance R1 connected between the power supply potential V1 (first potential point: for example, 5V) and one of the detection terminals 142a, and a ground potential (second potential point). A second resistor R2 connected between the and the other detection terminal 142b is provided. Further, the detection circuit 143 includes a buffer circuit B1 that outputs the voltage of one of the detection terminals 142a as a detection signal. The buffer circuit B1 has a high input impedance and outputs the voltage of the detection terminal 142a as a detection signal without affecting the voltage of the detection terminal 142a. The detection signal is sent to the control unit 20 via a signal line, or is sent from the junction box 14 to the control unit 20 via communication of a CAN (Controller Area Network).

Next, the connector portion 18b of the electric module will be described. Here, the connector portion 18b of the heater 18 will be referred to, but the connector portions 16b and 17b of other electric modules are similarly configured. The connector portion 18b of the electric module is connected to a power supply terminal 181 for transmitting electric power, detected terminals 182a and 182b for connection detection, a housing 183 that hides these terminals inside, and detected terminals 182a and 182b. One circuit 184 is provided. Although omitted in FIG. 2, the connector portion 18b may include a terminal for transmitting data or an information signal.

The housing 183 covers a plurality of terminals (141, 142a, 142b) of the connection partner in a state where the connector portions 14b and 18b are connected. The housing 183 can be connected to the housing of the junction box 14 by using a connecting member such as a bolt.

The power supply terminal 181 is connected to the power supply terminal 141 of the connector portion 14b and transmits electric power via a harness.

The detected terminals 182a and 182b are connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connector portion 14b for detecting the connection. The detected terminals 182a and 182b are composed of two terminals corresponding to the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the junction box 14. The detected terminals 182a and 182b may be one terminal or three or more terminals according to the number of detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connection partner. Alternatively, the detected terminals 182a and 182b may be configured to be connected to any of the detection terminals 142a and 142b, unlike the number of detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connection partner.

The first circuit 184 is a circuit for grounding the detected terminals 182a and 182b. The first circuit 184 may be a circuit in which only one of the detected terminals 182a is grounded. Further, the other terminal to be detected 182b may be omitted. Even with such a configuration, the detection circuit 143 can generate a detection signal that can identify the connection of the connector portion 18b.

The lid 19 includes a cover member 193 that covers a plurality of terminals (141, 142a, 142b) of the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, and detected terminals 192a, 192b and a second circuit 194 provided on the inner surface side of the cover member 193. And.

The cover member 193 can be connected to the housing of the junction box 14 by using a connecting member such as a bolt in a state where the lid 19 is connected to the connector portion 14b.

The detected terminals 192a and 192b are connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connector portion 14b for detecting the connection. The detected terminals 192a and 192b correspond to the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the junction box 14 and are composed of two terminals. The detected terminals 192a and 192b may be one terminal or three or more terminals according to the number of detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connection partner. Alternatively, the detected terminals 192a and 192b may be configured to be connected to any of the detection terminals 142a and 142b, unlike the number of detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connection partner.

The second circuit 194 is a circuit that short-circuits the detected terminals 192a and 192b in a non-grounded (floating) manner.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which an electric module is connected to a connector portion of a junction box. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the lid is connected to the connector portion of the junction box.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the connector portion 18b of the electric module is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, the detection terminals 142a and 142b are grounded by the connection of the detection terminals 182a and 182b. Therefore, the voltage of one of the detection terminals 142a becomes 0V (ground potential), and the detection signal of 0V is output from the detection circuit 143.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the lid 19 is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, the detection terminals 142a and 142b are short-circuited ungrounded by the connection of the detection terminals 192a and 192b. As a result, a minute current flows from the power supply potential V1 to the ground potential via the first resistance R1 and the second resistance R2, and the dropped voltage is applied to one of the detection terminals 142a. For example, if the first resistance R1 and the second resistance R2 have the same resistance value and the power supply potential V1 is 5V, 2.5V is applied to the detection terminals 142a and 142b. Therefore, the detection signal of the voltage dropped from the detection circuit 143 (for example, 2.5V) is output.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, when neither the connector portion 18b of the electric module nor the lid 19 is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, one of the detection terminals 142a is connected to the detection terminal 142a via the first resistance R1. The power potential V1 is connected. In this case, since no current flows through the first resistance R1, the power supply potential V1 is applied to the detection terminal 142a, and the detection signal of the power supply potential (for example, 5V) is output from the detection circuit 143.

As shown in the following table, based on the above detection signal, the control unit 20 has the electric module connected to the connector unit 14b, the lid 19 connected, or none of them connected. , The three states of the connector portion 14b can be discriminated. Then, the control unit 20 can execute the determination of the option setting and the interlock control based on the determination result as shown in the following table. The option setting includes information on the presence or absence of an optional electric module.

<Control processing>
Subsequently, the control process executed by the control unit 20 using the detection signal of the connector unit 14b will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the activation process executed by the control unit.

The control unit 20 executes the activation process of FIG. 5 when the system of the vehicle 1 is activated based on the operation of the power switch or the key operation by the driver. When the activation process is started, the control unit 20 acquires the detection signal of each connector unit 14b from the junction box 14 (step S1). Next, the control unit 20 determines an optional electric module mounted on the vehicle 1 based on the detection signal (step S2). For example, if the detection signal of the connector portion 14b to which the non-contact charging device 16 is connected is 2.5V, the non-contact charging device 16 is not mounted, and if this detection signal is 0V, the non-contact charging device 16 is mounted. The control unit 20 determines as if there is. The control unit 20 makes such a determination for each of the plurality of electric modules based on the detection signals of the plurality of connector units 14b.

Subsequently, the control unit 20 registers the option setting of the mounted electric module with the presence, and registers the option setting of the non-mounted electric module without the option setting according to the determination result of the step S2 (step S3). The option setting data is stored in the storage device of the ECU included in the control unit 20.

Subsequently, the control unit 20 shifts the process to the control program according to the registered option setting (step S4). For example, if three types of electric modules, a non-contact charging device 16, a power feeding device 17, and a heater 18 can be mounted as options, 23 = ⁸ types of control programs are previously installed depending on whether each electric module is present or not. Is prepared. Then, the control unit 20 selects one of the control programs according to the option setting in step S3, and shifts the processing to this. As a result, in the subsequent control process, the control unit 20 can execute the drive process for driving the mounted electric module under a predetermined condition. Further, the control unit 20 performs error monitoring for error monitoring of the mounted electric module, and if the mounted electric module has a communication function, the control unit 20 communicates with the electric module. By the above startup processing, control processing according to the option setting is realized.

Note that the control unit 20 does not switch and execute the control program as in step S4, but performs conditional branching based on the option setting at a predetermined step in one control program, for example, to set the option. It may be possible to realize the corresponding control process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of interlock control executed by the control unit.

The interlock control is always executed by the control unit 20 during the system activation of the vehicle 1. In the interlock control, the control unit 20 repeats the determination until a detection signal indicating a lock is not input from any of the plurality of connector units 14b of the junction box 14 or a detection signal indicating a lock is input ( Step S11). Then, when there is a detection signal indicating a lock, the control unit 20 switches the relay connected to the power supply terminal 141 of the connector unit 14b to which the detection signal indicating the lock is output to open (step S12). In addition, the control unit 20 switches the main relay connected to the high voltage battery 13 to open (step S12). Further, the control unit 20 locks the system of the vehicle 1 and controls the vehicle 1 so as not to be driven (step S13). Then, the control unit 20 ends the interlock control.

Normally, the connector portions 16b to 18b of the electric module or the lid 19 are connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, and the power supply terminal 141 to which a high voltage is output is not opened in the engine room. However, due to an unexpected situation, the connector portions 16b to 18b or the lid 19 may be removed while the system of the vehicle 1 is being activated. However, even if the power supply terminal 141 to which a high voltage is output is opened in the engine room by the interlock control as described above, the relay is immediately switched and the high voltage output of the power supply terminal 141 is output. It will be stopped. Further, it is suppressed that the system of the vehicle 1 is locked and the vehicle 1 is driven while the connector portion 14b is open. The vehicle 1 can then be unlocked by restoring the connection of the electrical module to the connector portion 14b or the connection of the lid 19 and restarting the system.

As described above, according to the vehicle 1, the control device 100, and the connector device (14b, 16b to 18b, 19) of the present embodiment, the detection terminals 142a and 142b are provided in the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, and this is It is connected to the detection circuit 143. Further, the detection circuit 143 can distinguish between a state in which the connector portions 16b to 18b of the electric module are connected to the connector portion 14b, a state in which the lid 19 is connected, and a state in which none of them is connected. Generate a signal. Therefore, the control unit 20 can realize interlock control based on this detection signal, and in addition, determines whether or not an optional electric module is mounted based on this detection signal, and controls processing according to the selection of the option. Can be realized. For this reason, a plurality of ECUs having different product numbers may be prepared, and the ECUs mounted on the vehicle 1 may be different depending on the option selection, or the control unit 20 may separately provide means for detecting the option selection. It is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the vehicle 1 as compared with the case of the above.

Further, according to the connector device (14b, 16b to 18b, 19) of the present embodiment, the first circuit 184 is provided in the connector portion 18b of the electric module, and the lid 19 has a second circuit 194 different from the first circuit 184. It is provided. Then, when the connector portion 18b of the electric module is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, the first circuit 184 is connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b. On the other hand, when the lid 19 is connected to the connector portion 14b of the junction box 14, the second circuit 194 is connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b. Therefore, by diverting the detection terminals 142a and 142b required for the interlock control, the detection circuit 143 can generate a detection signal that can identify the presence / absence of the connection of the electric module, that is, the selection of the option.

Further, according to the connector device (14b, 16b to 18b, 19) of the present embodiment, the first circuit 184 of the connector portion 18b is a circuit for grounding the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connection partner. Further, the second circuit 194 of the lid 19 is a circuit that short-circuits the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the connection partner to be ungrounded. With such a configuration, it is possible to detect a connection that distinguishes between the connection of the electric module and the connection of the lid 19 with low component cost and high reliability.

Further, according to the connector device (14b, 16b to 18b, 19) of the present embodiment, the detection circuit 143 connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b of the junction box 14 has the first resistor R1 and the first resistor R1 as shown in FIG. Two resistors R2 are connected and configured. With such a configuration, it is possible to identify the connection of the electric module, the connection of the lid 19, or the state in which none of them is connected with low component cost and high reliability.

The embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the configuration in which the junction box 14 is provided with the connector portion 14b to which the electric module is connected is shown, but the connector portion according to the present invention may be provided in a module other than the junction box 14. .. Further, in the above embodiment, the detection circuit 143 connected to the detection terminals 142a and 142b is provided in the connector portion 14b or in the vicinity thereof, but the detection circuit 143 is provided away from the connector portion 14b. You may be. In addition, the details shown in the embodiments such as the number of detection terminals, the circuit configurations of the first circuit, the second circuit and the detection circuit, and the type of the detection signal such as analog or digital are within the range not deviating from the gist of the invention. It can be changed as appropriate.

1 Vehicle 11 Travel motor 12 Inverter 13 High voltage battery 14 Junction box 14b Connector part 14d Relay 16 Non-contact charging device 17 Power supply device 18 Heater 19 Lid 16b, 17b, 18b Connector part (module connector part)
20 Control unit 100 Control device 141 Power supply terminal 142a, 142b Detection terminal 143 Detection circuit R1 First resistance R2 Second resistance B1 Buffer circuit 181 Power supply terminal 182a, 182b Detected terminal 183 Housing 184 First circuit 192a, 192b Detected terminal 193 Cover member 194 2nd circuit

Claims (5)

A connector part to which a plurality of connection terminals are provided and a module connector part of an electric module is connected, or a lid for hiding the plurality of connection terminals is connected.
A detection signal that can distinguish between a state in which the module connector portion is connected to the connector portion, a state in which the lid is connected, and a state in which neither the module connector portion nor the lid is connected is generated. Detection circuit and
A vehicle connector device comprising. The plurality of connection terminals include a power supply terminal to which a power supply voltage is supplied and a detection terminal for connection detection.
The module connector portion is provided with a first circuit that is electrically connected to the detection terminal when the module connector portion is connected to the connector portion.
The lid is provided with a second circuit that is electrically connected to the detection terminal when the lid is connected to the connector portion and has a different configuration from the first circuit.
The vehicle connector according to claim 1, wherein the detection circuit is electrically connected to the first circuit or the second circuit via the detection terminal and generates the detection signal according to the connection. Device. The detection terminal includes a first detection terminal and a second detection terminal.
The first circuit is a circuit for grounding the first detection terminal or the second detection terminal.
The vehicle connector device according to claim 2, wherein the second circuit is a circuit that short-circuits the first detection terminal and the second detection terminal. The detection circuit has a first resistance connected between the first potential point and the first detection terminal, and a second resistance connected between the second potential point and the second detection terminal. 3. The vehicle connector device according to claim 3. A vehicle control device including the vehicle connector device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, and a control unit for electrically controlling the vehicle.
The control unit is a vehicle control device that determines the presence or absence of the electric module and performs interlock control based on the detection signal.

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