JPH07212845A - Multiplex transmission equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the number of connector connection electrodes between an instrument panel harness and the other wire harness at lower cost and to improve the workability for automobile assembling. CONSTITUTION:With respect to a cowl node 40 and an air conditioning amplifier node 50 connected to the wire harness other than the instrument panel harness and an automobile air conditioning switch node 20 connected to the instrument panel harness for signal multiplex communication, only the air conditioning switch node is connected to the instrument panel harness, and signals for air conditioning load control are multiplexed and communicated through a transmission line between this node and the air conditioning amplifier node, and plural signals for meter load control are received from the cowl node or the like through the signal line to drive and control the loads for meter like warning lamps/indicator lamps 61 connected to an output circuit 25 through plural electric wirings like electric wires 14.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiplex transmission device used for an automobile in which multiplex communication is performed.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automobiles are becoming more and more electronic in order to improve their safety and functionality, and the wiring harnesses are becoming larger accordingly.
This tendency of bloat is due to the wire harness of the instrument panel section (hereinafter referred to as "instrument panel harness").
Again was no exception.

Along with this, the number of connector connecting poles between the instrument panel harness and other wire harnesses is increasing, which leads to an increase in connector fitting force or an increase in the number of connectors, and in the vehicle assembly process, mounting an instrument panel. At this time, the workability of the connector connection work was deteriorated. Therefore, conventionally, a technique using a multiplex communication technique is widely known, and an example thereof is shown in FIG. In the figure, for example, an electric system system in which electric wires are relatively concentrated in the instrument panel harness 11, for example, an air conditioning switch and a multiplex transmission device for an air conditioning switch in which a meter has multiple communication means (hereinafter referred to as an "air conditioning switch node"). 20
And multiplex transmission equipment for meters (hereinafter referred to as "meter node")
Say. ) 30 for timer / warning function (hereinafter,
It is called "T / W function". ) For controlling the cowl (hereinafter, referred to as “cowl node”) 40 and a multiplex device for controlling the air conditioner amplifier (hereinafter, referred to as “cowl node”) 40.
It is called "air conditioner amplifier node". ) A plurality of multiplex transmission devices connected to the wire harness 12 other than the instrument panel harness such as 50 are connected via the transmission line 10 and the connector 13 to form a multiplex communication network.

The T / W function is an illuminated entry system in which the room lamp or the like dims and turns off after a while after the door is closed, a rear defogger timer, a seat belt timer, and a buzzer for turning off the light. It is the function of various timers and warnings. Further, the air-conditioning control function is, for example, air-conditioning air temperature control of air-conditioning, air-blowing amount control, air outlet control, suction inlet control, or the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of each node shown in FIG. In the figure, the air conditioning switch node 2
0 is a bus interface circuit (hereinafter referred to as "bus I / F
Circuit ". ) 21 and the multiplex communication means 22 connected to the transmission line 10, and the multiplex communication means 22 and the input switch 2 for air conditioning connected via the input circuit 23.
4 and system function executing means 27 connected to the LED 26 for air conditioning via the output circuit 25.

Here, the multiplex communication means 22 is a circuit or software for converting a parallel signal into a serial signal and a serial signal into a parallel signal according to a communication protocol. Also, the system function executing means 2
The numeral 7 is a circuit or software that executes various system functions of the vehicle by using signals transmitted and received by multiplex communication. The system function executing means 27
Is usually composed of a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as "microcomputer") in many cases.

The configurations of the meter node 30, the cowl node 40 and the air conditioner amplifier node 50 are almost the same as those of the air conditioning switch node 20. Therefore, only the numbers are attached to the respective components and the description thereof is omitted. In the air conditioning switch node 20, when a driver or a passenger, of the input switches 24 for air conditioning, sets, for example, the intake port changeover switch to the outside air introduction side (when the outside air introduction switch is turned on), the switch is switched via the input circuit 23. The signal is input to the system function executing means 27. The system function executing means 27 multiplex-transmits the input switch signal to the air conditioner amplifier node 50 via the multiplex communication means 22, the bus I / F circuit 21, and the transmission line 10.

In the air conditioner amplifier node 50, the bus I /
When the system function executing means 57 receives the above-mentioned signal through the F circuit 51 and the multiplex communication means 52, the suction port control motor 56 is driven through the output circuit 55 to bring the suction port to the outside air introduction side. Recently, automatic control of air conditioning is also performed. For example, a signal of a sensor 54 for detecting the outside air temperature is input to a system function executing means 57 via an input circuit 53, and the system function executing means 57 is operated in the system function executing means 57. There is also an example in which after performing a logical operation with other signals, the suction port control motor 56 is driven via the output circuit 55 to optimally control the suction port.

On the other hand, an LED display signal indicating the current control state of the suction port is multiplexed from the air conditioner amplifier node 50 by the same method as described above, and is received by the system function executing means 27 of the air conditioner switch node 20 to output the output circuit. LE indicating the suction port control state among the LEDs 26 via 25
D was lit. Further, in the cowl node 40, when the door is opened, for example, the door switch 44 is turned on via the input circuit 43 through the system function executing means 4
When 7 detects, multiplex communication is carried out in the same manner as above, and the system function executing means 37 of the meter node 30 receives it,
Among the warning lamps / indicator lamps 36, the warning lamp of the door is turned on via the output circuit 35.

As described above, by performing multiplex communication between the multiplex transmission devices, not only the instrument panel harness but also the enlarged wire harness is saved, and at the same time, assembling workability of the vehicle is improved. The number of connector connection poles between harnesses, especially the number of connector connection poles of instrument panel harness and other wire harnesses was reduced.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned multiplex transmission device, the individual electric wires constituting the wire harness are
By replacing with a transmission line that transmits multiple signals, you can reduce the wire harness and reduce the cost,
Since it is expected to absorb the cost increase of the bus I / F circuit and multiple communication means required for multiple communication, the instrument panel harness has two nodes, an air conditioning switch node and a meter node. When installed, there was a problem that the amount of cost increase was large and total cost reduction could not be achieved.

On the other hand, when one of the nodes connected to the instrument panel harness is abolished, the multiplexed signal handled at that node is replaced by an electric wire, and for example, a switch for controlling and a lamp of a controlled object are connected to the instrument panel harness and Since it has to be directly connected by an electric wire through another wire harness, there is a problem that the number of connector connection poles between the instrument panel harness and another wire harness cannot be significantly reduced.

[0013] Further, without reducing the effect of reducing the number of connector connection poles between the instrument panel harness and another wire harness,
As a method of reducing the number of nodes, it is possible to configure the air conditioning switch and the meter as a single component to form a node, but these components are aesthetically related to the design, so it is difficult to realize. There was also. In addition, because the meter is a display device for alarms to the driver, there are many restrictions on the installation position due to its visibility, and there is a design requirement for the instrument panel etc. to secure a sufficient space around the driver's seat. In connection with this, the space constraints of the meter are quite severe. Therefore, when a new multiplex communication means is added to the meter, a new design is necessary because it is necessary to clear the space constraints.
A large part such as a meter has a problem that it may lead to an increase in man-hours due to new development and an increase in cost due to new die installation.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to realize a reduction in the number of connector connection poles of an instrument panel harness and another wire harness at a low cost and improve the workability of assembling an automobile. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multiplex transmission device that can be used.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is connected to an instrument panel harness for performing signal multiplex communication with at least one other multiplex transmission device connected to a wire harness other than the instrument panel harness. In the multiplex transmission device of an automobile, a transmission line is connected to the other multiplex transmission device via an instrument panel harness and a wire harness other than the instrument panel harness, and a first electric system system is connected to the other multiplex transmission device. Belonging to the second electric system system that is centrally set in the instrument panel section while performing multiplex communication of signals for controlling air-conditioning load, for example, for load control for meters. Multiplex communication means for receiving the signal of (1) through a transmission line and the load for the meter and a plurality of electric wires such as electric wires. And a system for performing drive control of the meter load according to the received signal via the output circuit when the multiplex communication means receives a signal for meter load control. There is provided a multiplex transmission device integrally configured with an air conditioning switch having a function executing means.

[0016]

By connecting only one multiplex transmission device to the instrument panel harness and performing multiplex communication with another multiplex transmission device connected to a wire harness other than the instrument panel harness, the first
A plurality of load control signals belonging to the second electric system system, which are centrally set in the instrument panel section, are multiplexed while signals for load control belonging to the second electric system system are multiplexed. A signal is received via a transmission line, and drive control of a load belonging to the second electric system system is performed via a plurality of electric wirings such as electric wires.

Therefore, the number of connecting poles between the instrument panel harness and another wire harness can be reduced at low cost.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1 and 2, the same components as those in FIGS. 3 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals for convenience of description. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric system system for an automobile according to the present invention. In the figure,
An air conditioning switch node 20 is connected to the transmission line 10 for multiplex communication in the instrument panel harness 11. Also,
The air conditioning switch node 20 includes a cowl node 40 and an air conditioning amplifier node 5 which are connected to the transmission line 10 for multiplex communication in the wire harness 12 other than the instrument panel harness.
It is connected to a plurality of nodes such as 0 through the connector 13 to construct a multiplex communication network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of each node shown in FIG. In the figure, the air conditioning switch node 2
Reference numeral 0 has a bus I / F circuit 21, a multiplex communication means 22, an input circuit 23, an air conditioning input switch 24, an output circuit 25, an air conditioning LED 26, and a system function executing means 27, which are similar to those of the conventional example. A meter load such as a warning lamp / indicator lamp 61 in the meter 60 having no multiplex communication means is connected to the output circuit 25 via the electric wire 14 in the instrument panel harness 11. In addition, the cowl node 40 and the air conditioner amplifier node 50
Has the same configuration as the conventional example.

Next, the operation of the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be described. First, air conditioning switch node 2
At 0, when the driver or fellow passenger turns on the input switch 24 for air conditioning, a switch signal is input to the system function executing means 27 via the input circuit 23. The system function executing means 27 multiplex-transmits the input switch signal to the air conditioner amplifier node 50 via the multiplex communication means 22, the bus I / F circuit 21, and the transmission line 10.

In the air conditioner amplifier node 50, the bus I /
When the system function executing means 57 receives the above signal via the F circuit 51 and the multiplex communication means 52, the air conditioning load such as the motor 56 is driven via the output circuit 55 and the air conditioning switch node 20 is operated for air conditioning. The LED display signal of is multiplexed. The air conditioning switch node 20 is the LE
When the D display signal is received, the LED 26 for air conditioning connected to the output circuit 25 is turned on.

Further, in the cowl node 40, a signal related to driving a load for a meter such as a warning lamp / indicator lamp 61, for example, a door warning lamp signal shown in the conventional example, etc., when the door switch 44 is turned on, Multiplex communication with the air conditioning switch node 20. In the air conditioning switch node 20, when the door warning lamp signal is received, the system function executing means 27 causes the output circuit 2 to operate.
Among the warning lamps / indicator lamps 61 of the meter load connected from 5 through the electric wire 14, the warning lamp of the door is driven / lighted.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the node connected to the instrument panel harness is only the air conditioning switch node,
An air conditioning switch node is installed in the instrument panel harness because the meter load connected to the output circuit is drive-controlled by receiving a plurality of signals related to the load driving for the meter that are multiplexed in the air conditioning switch node, according to the received signal. As in the case where the meter node is installed, the number of connector connection poles between the instrument panel harness and another wire harness can be reduced, and the number of nodes for multiplex communication can be reduced, so that cost reduction can be realized.

In the case where the output circuit for driving the meter load is built in the air conditioning switch node as in the present embodiment, the meter signal can be used without making any design change to the meter in the non-multiplexing mode. Since it is possible to multiplex the parts, it is possible to use conventional parts, and it is possible to prevent an increase in man-hours due to the new development of the meter and an increase in cost due to the installation of a mold.

The load for a meter according to the present invention is a load incorporated in the meter, and may be a speedometer, a tachometer, etc., not shown, in addition to the warning lamp / indicator lamp of the above embodiment. Is also good.
The node that multiplexes the signal for driving the load for the meter is not limited to the cowl node of this embodiment, but may be, for example, the air conditioner amplifier node 50 or another node (not shown).

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the output circuit for driving the meter load is provided in the air conditioning switch node has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the output circuit is provided on the meter side. It is also possible to drive the meter load with a smaller current than that of the air conditioning switch node and to reduce the diameter of the electric wire. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the system function executing means and the multiplex communication means are separate bodies is shown.
The present invention is not limited to this, and further cost reduction can be achieved by using, for example, an IC in which a microcomputer forming the multiplex communication means and the system function executing means is integrated.

Further, the multiplex transmission device for an automobile which is integrally formed with the air conditioning switch shown in the present invention is not limited to the case where the multiplex communication means is built into the air conditioning switch as in the present embodiment. It also includes a case where the multiplex communication means is integrally configured by, for example, a connector without using the instrument panel harness. Furthermore, in this embodiment,
Although the connection between the air conditioning switch node and the meter load in the meter was made with multiple wires in the instrument panel harness, the air conditioning switch node and the meter are very close to each other, and the air conditioning switch node and the meter are in close proximity. Since it is an electric wiring without branching in the same section, it is not necessary to configure each wire individually like a conventional wire harness, and a flat cable or a plurality of wires bundled with a plurality of wires can be used. It may be configured by a printed FPC (flexible circuit board) to simplify the wiring of the instrument panel section.

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the first
A multiplex transmission device for an automobile, which is connected to a second wire harness of an instrument panel section for performing multiplex communication of signals with at least one other multiplex transmission device connected to the other wire transmission harness, First
And a transmission line connected via a second wire harness, and a signal for load control belonging to the first electric system is multiplexed with the other multiplex transmission device via the transmission line. In addition, the multiplex communication means for receiving a plurality of signals for load control belonging to the second electric system system which is centrally set in the instrument panel section via the transmission line, and the second electric system. When the output means connected to the load belonging to the power system by a plurality of electric wirings and the signal for controlling the load belonging to the second electric system are received by the multiplex communication means, the reception means receives the signal via the output means. Since the system function executing means for controlling the driving of the load belonging to the second electric system according to the signal is provided, the number of connector connection poles of the instrument panel harness and the other wire harness is provided. Reduce, can be realized at low cost,
Workability when assembling an automobile can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of an electric system system for an automobile according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of each node shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional electric system system for an automobile.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of each node shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 transmission line 11 instrument panel harness 12 other wire harness 14 electric wire 20, 30, 40, 50 node 21, 31, 41, 51 bus I / F circuit 22, 32, 42, 52 multiplex communication means 23, 33, 43, 53 Input circuit 24 Input switch for air conditioning 25, 35, 45, 55 Output circuit 26 LED for air conditioning 27, 37, 47, 57 System function executing means 36, 61 Warning lamp / indicator lamp

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A multiplex transmission device for an automobile, which is connected to a second wire harness of an instrument panel section for performing multiplex communication of signals with at least one other multiplex transmission device connected to a first wire harness, A transmission line is connected to the other multiplex transmission device via first and second wire harnesses, and a signal for load control belonging to the first electrical system is transmitted between the other multiplex transmission device and the other multiplex transmission device. A plurality of signals for load control belonging to the second electric system system, which is centrally set in the instrument panel section, is multiplexed while performing multiplex communication via the transmission line.
Multiplex communication means for receiving via a transmission line, output means connected to a load belonging to the second electric system by a plurality of electric wirings, and the multiple communication means belongs to the second electric system system. When a signal for load control is received, it is provided with a system function executing means for performing drive control of a load belonging to the second electric system system according to the received signal via the output means. Multiplexer. 2. The load belonging to the first electric system system is an air conditioning load, the load belonging to the second electric system system is a meter load, and the multiplex transmission device is integrated with an air conditioning switch. The multiplex transmission device according to claim 1, characterized in that 3. The multiplex transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the connection with the load belonging to the second electric system is constituted by a flat cable. 4. The multiplex transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the connection with the load belonging to the second electric system is constituted by a flexible circuit board.