JPH06227328A - Electronic control unit for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform a program change or troubleshooting or the like without removing an electronic control unit by installing a detachable storage medium in a control means. CONSTITUTION:A program memory circuit 7 is provided with a built-in program memory 6 of a microcomputer 1. In addition, this circuit is connected to an address bus and a data bus 1a of the microcomputer 1, receiving those of addressing data out of the microcomputer 1, and it feeds this microcomputer 1 with a controlling program. This program memory circuit 7 is composed of an integrated circuit card or substrate or the like mounted with an integrated circuit memory as the program memory 6 in order to make it easily attachable or detachable to or from an automobile electronic control unit in terms of design. When there is a bug (defect) in the controlling program being stored in the program memory 6 as well as when performance improvements and suchlike are carried out by means of a program change (version amelioration), the program memory circuit 7 is changed in whole.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to adjustment of fuel injection amount, etc.
The present invention relates to a vehicle electronic control device that performs control for moving a vehicle.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional electronic control unit for an automobile, 101 is a digital input circuit for taking in digital information of the automobile, 102 is an analog input circuit for taking in analog information, and 103 is pulse information. Is a pulse input circuit for taking in. Reference numeral 104 is a power supply circuit for driving each part of the electronic control unit for a vehicle, 105 is an ON-OFF output circuit for controlling each solenoid of the vehicle,
Reference numeral 106 is a PWM output circuit for duty-controlling the solenoids of respective parts, and 107 is a fail-safe output circuit that operates when a failure or abnormality occurs in the vehicle electronic control unit.

Reference numeral 108 indicates ON-OFF of each part by taking in digital information, analog information and pulse information of each part of the automobile.
For example, a one-chip microcomputer that controls the output circuit 105, the PWM output circuit 106, and the fail-safe output circuit 107, and 109 is a microcomputer 108.
And 110 is a program memory that stores a control program, and 110 is a data memory that is included in the microcomputer 108 and that is used to calculate the program that stores the control program. The device 111 is configured.

First, when the engine key of the automobile is turned on, the microcomputer 108 starts its operation. Then, the microcomputer 108 reads out and executes the control program stored in the program memory 109. The calculation result under control and the output data are stored in the data memory 110. Microcomputer 108
In accordance with an instruction of the control program stored in the program memory 109, is loaded with data from the digital input circuit 101, the analog input circuit 102, and the pulse input circuit 103 for checking the operating state of the vehicle, and based on the loaded data. A calculation is performed to determine how to control each part of the vehicle, and the ON-OFF output circuit 105, the PWM output circuit 106, and the fail-safe output circuit 107 are controlled.

Each part of the automobile is controlled by an ON-OFF output circuit 105, a PWM output circuit 106 and a fail-safe output circuit 107. As a failure diagnosis system in a device equipped with a microcomputer such as the above-mentioned electronic control device for automobiles, there are those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-16056 and Japanese Patent Application No. 62-087828.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional failure diagnosis system for an electronic control unit for a vehicle. The microcomputer 108 of the electronic control unit for an automobile 111 described in FIG. 3 has a CPU 112 for performing various arithmetic processes, ROM 1 as program memory 109 and data memory 110
13, the RAM 114, and the CPU 112, the ROM 113, and the RAM 114 are connected by an internal bus 115.

The microcomputer 108 includes a CPU
An EA terminal 116 having a function of determining whether the 112 executes an instruction of the internal ROM 113 or an external ROM is prepared, and the EA terminal 116 is connected to an external diagnostic device 117. This diagnostic device 11
Reference numeral 7 is a diagnostic R which is a memory storing a diagnostic program.
Equipped with OM118. Further, the diagnostic device 117 is connected to the microcomputer 108 by a connection cable 119. As a concrete connection method, a grip or the like may be used to connect to a terminal pin of the microcomputer 108, which is an LSI element, or a connector may be used.

In the fault diagnosis system having the above structure,
The voltage applied to the EA terminal 116 causes the CPU 112 to
It is determined whether the command of the OM 113 is executed or the command of the diagnostic ROM 118 of the diagnostic device 117 is executed, and when the diagnostic device 117 is connected, a predetermined voltage is applied to the EA terminal 116, The CPU 112 executes a diagnostic program stored in the diagnostic ROM 118 to diagnose a failure.

As described above, when diagnosing the failure of the automobile electronic control unit 111, the automobile electronic control unit 111 is removed from the automobile and the microcomputer 108 and the diagnostic device 117 are connected to diagnose the fault. I was going.

[0010]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional electronic control unit for automobiles, once the electronic control unit for automobiles is attached to the automobile, only the program memory cannot be replaced. When exchanging, a microcomputer in which the program stored in the program memory is changed is manufactured, the microcomputer in which the program memory is changed is incorporated into the electronic control unit for the automobile, and the complete electronic control unit for the automobile is exchanged. Will be done. As described above, if the program memory for storing the control program built in the microcomputer is changed or if there is a defect (bug) in the program, the complete electronic control unit for the vehicle must be replaced, There is a problem that it takes time.

Further, since the program memory cannot be easily replaced, there is a problem that the performance of the automobile and the fuel consumption cannot be improved by changing the program (upgrading) after product development. Further, in the above-described conventional electronic control unit for a vehicle, it is necessary to remove the electronic control unit for a vehicle from the vehicle for connection with the diagnostic device, which is troublesome. .

Further, even when various external sensors and external output solenoids of the vehicle electronic control device are abnormal, the vehicle electronic control device does not operate normally, and the vehicle electronic control device is used to detect the abnormality. First, remove it from
There is a problem that it takes time and effort to connect a diagnostic device to this electronic control unit for automobiles to check whether there is any abnormality, and further to check the abnormality of each external sensor or external output solenoid using another diagnostic device. .

In the present invention, it is impossible to change only the above-mentioned program memory. Therefore, if there is a defect (bug) in the program of the program memory for storing the control program built in the microcomputer, To solve the problem that the complete electronic control unit for automobiles must be replaced, and the problem that the performance of automobiles and fuel consumption cannot be improved by changing the program (upgrading) after product development It was made.

That is, the present invention makes it possible to easily change the microcomputer control program stored in the program memory, so that when a bug exists in the program, the program can be modified or upgraded. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic control unit for a vehicle, which can be changed without replacing the electronic control unit for the vehicle itself.

Further, according to the present invention, in order to diagnose a failure of the electronic control unit for an automobile, the electronic control unit for the automobile must be removed from the automobile and connected to an external diagnostic device to diagnose the fault. In order to solve the problem that the vehicle electronic control unit must be removed and diagnosed in order to detect the abnormality even when the external sensors and external output solenoids of the vehicle electronic control unit are abnormal. It was made.

That is, according to the present invention, a memory for storing data necessary for diagnosing a failure can be easily connected to an electronic control unit for an automobile, so that the electronic control unit for an automobile can be removed from the automobile for diagnosing the fault. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic control device for an automobile, which can be carried out without the need.

[0017]

In order to achieve this object, the present invention receives data indicating the state of each part of an automobile,
An electronic control unit for a vehicle equipped with a control means for calculating data based on the received data to determine how to control the vehicle and outputting data for controlling each part of the vehicle is detachable from the device. Therefore, a storage medium detachable from the control means is provided.

The storage medium may be an IC card. Further, the storage medium stores a control program for the control means to perform a predetermined calculation. It should be noted that the storage medium may store failure diagnosis information by the control means when an abnormality occurs.

[0019]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, when a defect (bug) is present in the control program of the control means composed of a one-chip microcomputer or the like, or the program for controlling the microcomputer is upgraded. In the case of the change, the control program is stored in a storage medium that can be attached to and detached from the microcomputer, for example, an IC card. Therefore, by exchanging only the IC card, the automobile electronic control device itself is exchanged. It is possible to change the program to a desired one without doing so.

Further, according to the present invention, when an abnormality occurs in the electronic control unit for an automobile, the failure diagnosis information is stored in a storage medium which can be attached to and detached from the microcomputer, for example, an IC card. The failure diagnosis information can be analyzed only by removing the IC card without removing it from the automobile.

[0021]

Embodiments Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic control unit for an automobile according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a one-chip microcomputer for controlling each part of the apparatus, 2 is a digital input circuit connected to a digital input terminal of the microcomputer 1, and 3 is an analog input terminal of the microcomputer 1 for taking in digital information of an automobile. Analog input circuits 4 connected to capture the analog information of the automobile are connected to the pulse input terminals of the microcomputer 1 to capture the pulse information of the automobile. The digital input circuit 2, the analog input circuit 3 and the pulse input circuit Through the circuit 4, the microcomputer 1 receives data indicating the state of each part of the vehicle, such as the fuel injection amount and the inclination of the vehicle body, and calculates how to control the vehicle based on the input data. to decide.

A power supply circuit 5 is connected to the power supply terminal of the microcomputer 1 and supplies power. Reference numeral 6 denotes a program memory for storing a control program for the microcomputer 1, and 7 denotes a program memory circuit having the program memory 6 built therein, which is connected to the address bus and the data bus 1a of the microcomputer 1 and receives an address from the microcomputer 1. Receives designated data, sends the designated control program to the microcomputer 1,
Receiving this program, the microcomputer 1 performs a predetermined calculation based on the above-mentioned data indicating the states of the respective parts of the automobile to determine how to control the automobile.

The program memory circuit 7 is an IC card equipped with an IC memory as the program memory 6 or an article having a function equivalent to that of the IC card so that the program memory circuit 7 can be easily attached to and detached from the vehicle electronic control unit. For example, the program memory 6 is composed of a substrate on which an IC memory is mounted. The data bus and the address bus 1a are electrically connected to each other via a connector (not shown) and are detachable from the microcomputer 1.

Reference numeral 8 is an ON-OFF output circuit which is connected to the digital output terminal of the microcomputer 1 and controls each solenoid of the automobile, and 9 is connected to the PWM output terminal of the microcomputer 1 and PWM output which duty-controls each solenoid. The circuit 10 is a fail-safe output circuit that is connected to the output terminal of the microcomputer 1 and that operates when a failure or abnormality occurs in the vehicle electronic control unit.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a control program sent from the program memory circuit 7, a digital input circuit 2,
A data memory that stores data sent from the analog input circuit 3 and the pulse input circuit 4 and is used for calculation by a program. The data memory is built in the microcomputer 1 and is connected to the electronic control unit 1 for an automobile from the above-mentioned parts.
2 are configured.

The vehicle electronic control unit 12 having the above-mentioned structure is
First, when the engine key of the automobile is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 5 to the microcomputer 1,
The microcomputer 1 starts operating. The microcomputer 1 reads the control program stored in the program memory 6 of the program memory circuit 7 and operates in order in accordance with the instructions of the control program.

When the program for fetching digital information is executed, the microcomputer 1 fetches the digital information from the digital input circuit 2 and stores the fetched digital information in the data memory 11. When the program for fetching the analog information is executed, the microcomputer 1 fetches the analog information from the analog input circuit 3 and stores the fetched analog information in the data memory 11.

When the program for fetching pulse information is executed, the microcomputer 1 fetches the pulse information from the pulse input circuit 4 and stores the fetched pulse information in the data memory 11. Then, according to the digital information, the analog information and the pulse information stored in the data memory 11, the microcomputer 1 determines how to control each part of the automobile, and controls the ON-OFF output circuit 8 and the PWM output circuit 9.

In addition, the occurrence of an abnormality in the digital input circuit 2,
Abnormal digital data generation, analog input circuit 3 abnormality generation, abnormal analog data generation, or pulse input circuit 4 abnormality generation, abnormal pulse data generation, and ON-OFF output circuit 8, PWM output When the microcomputer 1 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the circuit 9, the microcomputer 1 controls the fail-safe output circuit 10 in order to ensure the safety of the vehicle.

Here, when there is a defect (bug) in the control program stored in the program memory 6, or when the control program stored in the program memory 6 is modified (version up) after product development. Therefore, when the performance of the automobile is improved and the fuel consumption is improved, the entire program memory circuit 7 having the program memory 6 is replaced.

That is, the program memory circuit 7 is composed of an IC card or a product having a function equivalent to that of the IC card so that the program memory circuit 7 can be easily attached to and detached from the vehicle electronic control unit 12. On the other hand, since the program memory circuit 7 can be easily replaced because it is detachable via a connector or the like, the program memory 6 for storing the control program can be easily replaced.
The defect (bug) of the program can be easily and easily corrected, and further, the performance of the automobile and the fuel consumption can be improved easily and easily by changing the program (upgrading) after product development.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the construction of an automobile electronic control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 13 is a one-chip microcomputer for controlling each part of the apparatus, 2 is a microcomputer 1
3 is a digital input circuit connected to the digital input terminal of the vehicle for capturing digital information of the vehicle, 3 is an analog input circuit connected to an analog input terminal of the microcomputer 13 for capturing the vehicle of analog information, 4 is a pulse input of the microcomputer 13. A pulse input circuit which is connected to a terminal and takes in the pulse information of the automobile. Through the digital input circuit 2, the analog input circuit 3 and the pulse input circuit 4, the microcomputer 13 detects, for example, the fuel injection amount and the inclination of the vehicle body. When data indicating the state of each part of the automobile is received, a calculation is performed based on the input data to determine how to control the automobile.

Reference numeral 5 is a power supply circuit which is connected to the power supply terminal of the microcomputer 13 and supplies power. 8 is connected to the digital output terminal of the microcomputer 13,
An ON-OFF output circuit for controlling each solenoid of the automobile, 9 is connected to the PWM output terminal of the microcomputer 13, and PWM for duty controlling each solenoid
The output circuit 10 is a fail-safe output circuit that is connected to the output terminal of the microcomputer 13 and is activated when the vehicle electronic control unit fails or malfunctions.

Reference numeral 11 stores a control program sent from a program memory which will be described later, data sent from the digital input circuit 2, analog input circuit 3 and pulse input circuit 4, and is used for calculation by the program. A data memory, which is built in the microcomputer 13. Reference numeral 14 is a program memory which is built in the microcomputer 13 and stores a control program.

Reference numeral 15 is an external data memory for storing fail-safe information and failure diagnosis information, and 16 is an IC card equipped with an IC memory as the external data memory 15.
It is sent from the microcomputer 13 when an abnormality occurs in an external output sensor or an external sensor (not shown) connected to the address bus and the data bus 13a of the microcomputer 13 and connected to the electronic control unit for the vehicle or the electronic control unit for the vehicle. Stores fail-safe information and failure diagnosis information.

The IC card 16 is electrically connected to the data bus and the address bus 13a through a connector (not shown) and is detachably attached to the microcomputer 13 so that it can be easily mounted on the electronic control unit for automobiles. It is removable. It should be noted that the IC card 16 may be composed of a board or the like on which an IC memory is mounted as the external data memory 15.

In the automobile electronic control unit having the above-described structure, first, when the engine key of the automobile is turned on, power is supplied from the power supply circuit 5 to the microcomputer 13,
The microcomputer 13 starts operation. The microcomputer 13 reads the control program stored in the program memory 14 and operates in order in accordance with the instructions of the control program.

When the program for fetching digital information is executed, the microcomputer 13 fetches the digital information from the digital input circuit 2 and stores the fetched digital information in the data memory 11. When the program for fetching analog information is executed, the microcomputer 13 fetches analog information from the analog input circuit 3 and stores the fetched analog information in the data memory 11.

When the program for fetching pulse information is executed, the microcomputer 13 fetches pulse information from the pulse input circuit 4 and stores the fetched pulse information in the data memory 11. Then, according to the digital information, the analog information and the pulse information stored in the data memory 11, the microcomputer 13 determines how to control each part of the vehicle, and the ON-OF
The F output circuit 8 and the PWM output circuit 9 are controlled.

Further, the occurrence of an abnormality in the digital input circuit 2,
Abnormal digital data generation, analog input circuit 3 abnormality generation, abnormal analog data generation, or pulse input circuit 4 abnormality generation, abnormal pulse data generation, and ON-OFF output circuit 8, PWM output When the microcomputer 13 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the circuit 9,
In order to ensure the safety of the automobile, the microcomputer 13 controls the fail safe output circuit 10. Further, the microcomputer 13 stores fail-safe information and failure diagnosis information in the external data memory 15 built in the IC card 16 via the data bus and the address bus 13a.

Next, when the fail-safe information is generated or when the failure diagnosis is performed, the IC card 16 is removed from the microcomputer 13 and the fail-safe information or the failure diagnosis information is analyzed. In this way, since the IC card 16 can be removed from the microcomputer 13 and the fail-safe information and the failure diagnosis information can be analyzed, it is not necessary to remove the vehicle electronic control unit from the vehicle at the time of failure diagnosis.

[0042]

As described above, according to the present invention, the electronic control unit for an automobile is provided with a control means for performing a necessary arithmetic operation in the electronic control unit for an automobile, for example, a program memory storing a program for controlling a microcomputer. Since a removable storage medium, such as an IC card, is attached to and detached from this microcomputer,
If there is a defect (bug) in the control program of the microcomputer, the program can be changed by replacing only the IC card without replacing the electronic control unit for the vehicle itself, so that the program bug can be easily and easily made. It has the effect that it can be modified.

Also, when the program for controlling the microcomputer is changed by upgrading,
By changing only the C card, the program can be changed to a desired one without changing the electronic control unit for the vehicle itself. Therefore, it is easy to improve the performance of the vehicle and improve the fuel consumption by upgrading the program version. And it has the effect that it can be performed easily.

Further, according to the present invention, as a memory for storing fail-safe information and failure diagnosis information when an abnormality occurs, it can be attached to and detached from a microcomputer so as to be easily attached to and detached from an automobile electronic control unit. Since the IC card is provided, by removing the IC card and analyzing the contents of the memory of the IC card, the electronic control unit for the vehicle can be easily mounted without removing the electronic control unit for the vehicle from the automobile, and further, the electronic control unit for the automobile. This has the effect of enabling failure diagnosis of various external sensors and external output solenoids connected to the electronic control unit for use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle electronic control unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a vehicle electronic control unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional electronic control device for an automobile.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional failure diagnosis system for an electronic control unit for an automobile.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Microcomputer 6 Program Memory 7 Program Memory Circuit 13 Microcomputer 15 External Data Memory 16 IC Card

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Receiving data indicating the state of each part of an automobile,
In an electronic control unit for an automobile equipped with a control means for calculating data based on the received data and determining how to control the automobile, and outputting data for controlling each part of the automobile, it can be attached to and detached from the device. As described above, an electronic control unit for an automobile, comprising a storage medium detachable from the control means. 2. The electronic control device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium is an IC card. 3. The electronic control device for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium stores a control program for performing a predetermined calculation by the control means. 4. The electronic control unit for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the storage medium stores failure diagnosis information by the control means when an abnormality occurs.