JPH0336894A - On-vehicle communication controller - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure a fail safe function by classifying plural loads of the same kinds into the same number of sets of the communication system number and using the classified sets to different communication systems so as to ensure the minimum function relating to the drive of a vehicle. CONSTITUTION:Terminal sections 11a, 11b such as head light and winker light arranged to the front left of a vehicle and terminal sections 15a, 15b such as tail lamp and winker light arranged to the right rear side are connected to a communication controller 3 via a terminal controller. Similarly, terminal equipments 21a, 21b at the front right and terminal equipments 25a, 25b at the rear left are connected to a communication controller 5. Thus, the terminal equipments 11a, 11b, 15a,15b and the terminal equipments 21a, 21b, 25a, 25b are controlled by the independent controllers 3, 5 and even when one controller 3 is failed, the other terminal equipments can be operated based on the control from the controller 5, and the minimum drive function is ensured. Thus, the fail safe function is ensured.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to a communication control device for a vehicle having a so-called failsafe 7 function.

(Prior art) In recent years, the use of electronics in automobiles has been promoted, and various multiplex communication systems have been developed that transmit signals for controlling lights, power windows, etc. through a small number of connection lines. being developed.

As such a conventional device, one shown in FIG. 6 is known. (Nikkei Electronics 1987, 9
．． See No. 7> In the conventional example shown in FIG. 6, multiple master communication nodes 101
a, 101b, 1101c, and so on are connected via communication lines 102, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of these mask communication nodes includes a processor 201, a transmission/reception operation control section 203, a transmission operation execution section 205, a reception operation execution section 207, a data collision detection section 209, and buffers 211 and 213. It consists of

In the conventional example shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of master communication nodes 101a, 101b, 101C, .
Multiple processors 2 built into each of...
01 communicate with each other via a common communication line 102 using a so-called time division multiplex communication system. For example, when the master communication node 101a is given the transmission right and performs a transmission operation within a predetermined period, other master communication nodes 101b, 101C1, . . . 101e receive data within this period. I try to do the actions.

The transmission operation of this master communication node 101a will be explained with reference to FIG. First, the processor 201 of the master communication node 101a, which has been given the right to transmit within a predetermined period, sends a command signal to the transmitting/receiving operation control unit 20 to execute the transmitting operation.
Output to 3. As a result, the transmission/reception operation control unit 203 outputs a timing signal to the transmission operation execution unit 205 to enable sequence control necessary to execute the transmission operation. Furthermore, the processor 201 outputs data to be transmitted to the transmission operation execution unit 205.

A three-state buffer 211 connects the communication line 102 and the transmission operation execution section 205 based on a control signal from the transmission and reception operation control section 203.

As a result, data output from the transmission operation execution unit 205 is transmitted to the communication line 102 via the buffer 7211.

Next, a description will be given of the reception operation of another masked communication node that has not been given the transmission right within the period, that is, is in execution of the reception operation.

The data input via the communication line 102 is stored in the buffer 7213.
The received data is sent to the reception operation execution unit 207 and the data collision detection unit 209 via the data collision detection unit 209.

When receiving data, the receiving operation executing unit 207 outputs a notification to that effect to the transmitting/receiving operation control unit 203. As a result, the transmission/reception operation control section 203 generates a timing signal to enable sequence control necessary for executing the reception operation, and outputs this timing signal to the reception operation execution section 207. This allows the receiving operation execution unit 207 to perform the receiving operation of the input data. The data received by the receiving operation execution unit 207 is read by the processor 201.

In this way, within a predetermined period, only a single masked communication node that has been given the transmission right performs a transmission operation, and other masked communication nodes perform a reception operation.

For example, when the master communication node 101a, which is currently given the transmission right and is performing a transmission operation, transmits transmission right instruction data for giving the transmission right to the master communication node 1oib to the master communication node 101b, the master communication node 101a
b, the receiving operation execution unit 207 is the master communication node 101
When the processor 201 receives the transmission right instruction data from the master communication node 101a and reads it, it can recognize that the transmission right has been granted from the master communication node 101a to the master communication node 101b. As a result, within the next predetermined period, the master communication node 101b performs a transmission operation, and the other mask communication nodes other than this master communication node 101b perform a reception operation.

The data collision detection unit 209 also has a built-in storage unit.
The input communication data is monitored, and if the protocol of this communication data is not normal, it is detected that a data collision has occurred on the communication line 102, and information to the effect that a failure has occurred is stored in the storage section. Information indicating that a failure has occurred is read by the processor 201, and the processor 201 executes processing for the failure.

By the way, in the so-called centralized multiplex communication system as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a plurality of mask communication nodes are connected by a single communication line 102, so if a disconnection of the communication line occurs, The entire system will be in a state of failure.

Therefore, a so-called system-specific multiplex communication system has been proposed in which a plurality of mask communication nodes are divided into specific systems and multiplex communication is performed for each system.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in such a system-specific multiplex communication system, as the number of systems to be divided increases, the fail-safe function is enriched and improved as the number of systems increases. ,
On the other hand, there are problems in that the number of parts increases, the merits of the multiplex communication system are reduced, and communication processing becomes complicated.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device for a vehicle that can reliably provide a fail-safe function with a simple configuration.

[Structure of the Invention] <Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a communication control device for a vehicle that combines a plurality of on-vehicle loads of the same type into a set,
An on-vehicle load group having a plurality of sets of different types, a switch corresponding to each set, and at least two communication control means connected to each of the switches, wherein a communication line is connected to each communication control means. , the on-vehicle loads in the box are classified into the same number of groups as the number of communication control means, and the on-vehicle loads are divided and connected to different communication lines so that the classified groups become independent communication systems. and means.

(Function) In the vehicle communication control device according to the present invention, a plurality of on-vehicle loads of the same type are made into one set, and a plurality of sets of on-vehicle loads of different types constitute an on-vehicle load group. A switch is associated with each set of on-vehicle loads, and at least two communication control means are connected to each of the switches. Since this communication control means is independently connected to the plurality of on-vehicle loads constituting the set, it is possible to configure an independent communication system. Therefore, the on-vehicle loads in the same box are controlled by the communication control means corresponding to the respective on-vehicle loads, and the so-called Fail 947 function is fulfilled.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, a schematic configuration of a vehicle communication control device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The control device 1 has a communication control device 3 forming one communication control system, and a communication control wI device 5 forming the other communication control system. The status signals of the switches A, B, C, and D are then input to each of the communication control devices 3.5.

The communication control device 3 has arithmetic processing means such as a microprocessor, and executes processing related to communication control of the - side communication control system.

Similarly, the communication control device 5 has arithmetic processing means such as a microprocessor, and executes processing related to communication control II yarn system communication control on the other side.

A communication line 1a and a wrinkle are each drawn out from the communication control device 3.

The communication line La includes a plurality of control devices 7a, 7b, .
... are connected to the communication line Lb, and a plurality of control devices 9a, 9b... are also connected to the communication line Lb.

Referring to FIG. 2, the control device 7a is the terminal unit 1.
1a, and a terminal control device 13b for controlling this terminal section 11a.

Similarly, the control device @7b includes a terminal section 11b and a terminal control device 13b for controlling the terminal section 11b.

Further, the control device 9a includes a terminal section 15a and a terminal control device 16a for controlling the terminal section 15a.

Similarly, the control device 9b includes a terminal section 15b and a terminal control device 16b for controlling the terminal section 15b.

Next, a connection configuration between the communication control device 5 and its peripheral devices will be explained.

A communication line 1c and a communication line 1-d are led out from the communication control device 5. A plurality of control devices 17a, 17b, . . . are connected to this communication line LO. Further, the communication line ld includes a plurality of control devices 19a, 19.
b, . . . are connected.

The control device 17a includes a terminal section 21a and a terminal control device 23a for controlling the terminal section 21a. Further, the control device 17b is connected to the terminal section 21.
b, and a terminal control til for controlling this terminal unit 21b.
The control device 19a connected to the communication line Ld is composed of a terminal section 25a and a terminal control device 26a for controlling the terminal section 15a. Similarly, the control device 19b connects the terminal section 25b and the terminal section 2.
and a terminal control device 26b for controlling the terminal 5b.

A terminal unit 11a connected to the communication line La side and a communication line 1c
The terminal unit 21a connected to the side constitutes a terminal device 31a. For example, the terminal portion 11a is a headlight placed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the terminal portion 21a is a headlight placed on the front right side of the vehicle. Similarly, communication line 1
The terminal unit 1ff31jl is composed of the terminal unit 11b connected to the a side and the terminal unit 21b connected to the a side through the communication line.

For example, the terminal portion 11b is a turn signal light placed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the terminal portion 21b is a turn signal light placed on the front right side of the vehicle.

The terminal unit 15a and the terminal unit 25a constitute a terminal device. For example, the terminal unit 15a is a tail lamp placed on the rear right side of the vehicle, and the terminal unit 25a is a tail lamp placed on the rear left side of the vehicle. be. Similarly, the terminal unit 15b and the terminal unit 25b constitute a terminal device,
For example, the terminal portion 15b is a light for a turn signal placed on the rear right side of the vehicle, and the terminal portion 25b is a light for a turn signal placed on the rear left side of the vehicle.

Hereinafter, in the case of a terminal device for a brake lamp and a reversing light, which are similarly constituted by a pair of terminal sections, one terminal section, for example, the left terminal section, is connected to the communication line 1a side, and the other terminal section, for example, the right terminal section, is connected to the communication line 1c. connected to the side.

Next, the operation of this embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 will be explained.

The communication control device 3 is, for example, a headlight lighting SWA, a turn signal S
It is connected to the WB, brake lights, emergency lights SWD, etc., and is connected to a plurality of terminal control devices 13a, 1 via the communication line 1-a.
3b, . . . and a plurality of terminal control I devices 16a, 16b via the communication line 1b.
, . . . and performs communication control between them.

Similarly, the communication control device 5 has the same 5W power as the communication control device 3.
ABCD is connected to perform communication control with a plurality of communication control devices 23a, 23b, . . . via communication line LC, and communication 1! Communication control is performed with a plurality of communication control devices 26a, 26b, . . . via Ld.

Therefore, the terminal part 11a which is a headlight placed on the front left side of the vehicle, the terminal part 11b which is a blinker light placed on the front left side of the vehicle, and the terminal part 11b which is a tail lamp placed on the rear right side of the vehicle. The portion 15a and the terminal portion 15tl, which is a turn signal light disposed on the rear right side of the vehicle, operate under the control of the communication control device 3.

Similarly, there is a terminal section 21a which is a headlight placed on the front right side of the vehicle, a terminal section 21b which is a blinker light placed on the front right side of the vehicle, and a tail lamp placed on the rear left side of the vehicle. The terminal section 25a and the terminal section 25b, which is a blinker light disposed on the rear left side of the vehicle, operate under the control of the communication control device 5.

As described above, since one terminal section and the other terminal section are controlled by separate and independent communication control systems, if a failure or failure occurs in one communication control system, for example, the communication control device 3 Even if one of the terminals fails, the other terminal can be operated by the other communication control system, that is, based on the control from the communication control device 5, and the minimum running function of the vehicle can be ensured.

In addition, terminal devices such as air conditioners, audio equipment such as radios, wiper switches, and other actuators or switches can be separated as appropriate, and one terminal device is connected to the communication line l, -a side, and the other If the terminal device is configured to be connected to side a through the communication line, even if an abnormality occurs in one communication control system, the minimum functionality can be ensured by the other communication control system.

In addition, when dividing the emergency lights into two systems, the front blinker and the rear blinker may be used, or they may be crossed to form the first terminal section and the second terminal section.

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.

First, to explain the configuration, as shown in FIG.
, 37e, . . . are connected.

In addition, each of these slave communication nodes 37a, 37b,
37C1-... has terminal parts 39a, 39b, 39c.
, 39d, 39e 1... are connected to each other.

The master communication node 33 corresponds to the communication control device 3 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and has slave communication nodes 37a and 3.
7b, . . . are terminal control devices 13 shown in FIG.
Corresponding to a, 13b, . . ., terminal portions 39a,
39b, -- are terminal parts 11a, 1lb
, -...

Further, there is provided another communication control system having the same configuration as the communication control system shown in FIG. 3, and the system is constituted by two separate and independent communication control systems.

Next, the internal configuration of the master communication node 33 will be explained with reference to FIG.

The processor 41 is connected to a transmission/reception operation control section 43, a transmission operation execution section 45, and a reception operation execution section 47. The transmission and reception operation control section 43 is connected to the transmission operation execution section 45, the reception operation execution section 47, and the gate of the three-state buffer 51, and controls the data transmission operation or reception operation according to instructions from the processor 41. .

The transmission operation execution unit 45 has a three-state buffer 751.
It executes the transmission operation based on the control command from the transmission/reception operation section 43, and transfers the data to be transmitted inputted from the processor 41 to the three-state buffer 751.
Output to. As a result, data to be transmitted is transmitted to the communication line 1a via the three-state buffer 51.

The communication line a is connected to the receiving operation execution unit 47 via the buffer 53.
and a data collision detection section 49. Further, the reception operation execution section 47 includes the processor 41 and the transmission/reception control section 43.
is connected to.

The receiving operation execution unit 47 executes a receiving operation based on a control command from the transmission/reception operation control unit 43 and receives input data via the buffer 53.

The data collision detection section 49 is connected to the fault processing section 55 and outputs a detection signal to the fault processing section 55 when a fault due to a data collision is detected.

The failure processing unit 55 is connected to the transmission/reception operation control unit 43 and the transmission operation execution unit 45, and upon receiving a signal indicating that a failure has occurred from the data collision detection unit 49, executes processing for this failure.

The timer 57 is connected to the transmission/reception operation control section 43,
The timer information is output to the transmission/reception operation control section 43.

Next, the internal configuration of the slave communication node 37a among the plurality of slave communication nodes will be explained with reference to FIG.

The processor 61 is connected to a transmission/reception operation control section 63, a transmission operation execution section 65, and a reception operation execution section 67.

The transmission/reception operation control section 63 is connected to the transmission operation execution section 65 and the reception operation execution section 67, and controls the transmission operation and the reception operation according to control commands from the processor 61.

The transmission operation execution unit 65 is a three-state buffer 71
The processor executes the transmission operation based on the control command from the transmission/reception operation control unit 63, and transfers the data to be transmitted input from the processor 61 to the three-state buffer 7.
Output to 1. As a result, the data to be transmitted is transmitted to the communication line La via the three-state buffer 771.

The communication line 1a is connected to the receiving operation execution unit 67 via the buffer 73.
is connected to. This reception operation execution unit 67 executes reception operation based on the control command from the transmission and reception operation control unit 63,
Buffer 773 and communication line 1. Receive the data input via a.

The received data content analysis section 75 is connected to the reception operation execution section 67, and analyzes the contents of the data received by the reception operation execution section 67.

The connection control section 77 is connected to the transmission/reception control section 63 and the received data content analysis section 75, and is also connected to the gate of the three-state buffer 71. The connection control section 77 outputs a connection signal or a cutoff signal to the gate of the three-state buffer 771 based on signals from the transmission/reception operation control section 63 and the received data content analysis section 75.

When this three-state buffer 71 receives a cutoff signal, it sets a high impedance state between the communication line 1-a and the transmission control execution section 65, and transfers the transmission between the communication line 1a and the transmission operation execution section 65. cut off the line.

Furthermore, when the three-state buffer 71 receives the connection signal described above, it sets the communication line La and the transmission operation execution section 65 in a connected state.

The internal configuration of the slave communication node 37a described above is as follows:
Other slave communication nodes 37b, 37C1...
The same applies to , and detailed explanation will be omitted.

Next, the action will be explained.

The master communication node 33 has multiple slave communication nodes 37
A, 37b, . . . are sequentially granted transmission rights, for example, at predetermined time intervals. A communication node to which this transmission right has been granted performs a transmission operation within the specified period, and other slave communication nodes perform a reception operation.

The transmission operation of this master communication node 33 is shown in FIG.

This corresponds to the conventional example described above, and only the operations that are different from the conventional example shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

The transmission/reception operation control section 43 operates the transmission operation execution section 45 based on a control command from the processor 41, and when it instructs the slave communication node 37a to transmit data to the effect that it is granted the transmission right, for example, the timer 57 is activated after this transmission operation is completed. and monitors the elapsed time until response data is received from the slave communication node 37a described above. At this time, if response data is not received from the slave communication node 37a within a predetermined time, the slave communication node 37a
The processor 41 determines that the slave communication node 37a is in a faulty state, and executes control processing to disconnect the slave communication node 37a that is in the faulty state. That is, the processor 41 controls the transmission/reception control device 43 and outputs data indicating that the slave communication node 37a is to be disconnected to the transmission operation execution unit 45. As a result, the transmission operation execution section 45 executes the control command from the transmission/reception operation control section 43 to control the slave communication node 3.
Data indicating that 7a is to be disconnected is transmitted via the three-state buffer 51.

Further, when the data collision detection section 49 detects data of different protocols, that is, when it detects a data collision, it outputs a failure state to the failure processing section 55. As a result, the failure processing unit 55 causes the transmission/reception operation control unit 43 to output a connection signal to the buffer 751, operates the transmission operation execution unit 45, and disconnects the communication node that currently has the transmission right, for example, the slave communication node 37a. Let the data be sent.

When the receiving operation execution unit 47 receives data via the buffer 53, it generates an interrupt signal to notify the processor 41 that it is in the receiving state.

Next, the operation of the slave communication node 37a shown in FIG. 5 will be explained.

The operation of the slave communication node 37a shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG. It corresponds to the operation of the conventional example mentioned above,
Only the operations that are different from those of the conventional example shown in FIG. 7 will be explained.

The connection control section 77 outputs a connection signal or a cutoff signal to the three-state buffer 71 based on the signal from the transmission/reception control section 63 or the signal from the received data content analysis section 75. As a result, the communication line La and the transmission operation execution unit 65
The transmission line between the two is connected or disconnected.

For example, when the receiving operation execution unit 67 receives data from the master communication node 33 indicating that the transmission line is to be cut off, the received data content analysis unit 75 analyzes the content of the received data.

When the received data content analysis unit 75 determines that the content of the received data is data for cutting off the transmission line,
A signal indicating that the connection is to be cut off is output to the connection control section 77. As a result, the connection control unit 77 outputs a cutoff signal to the gate of the three-state buffer 71, thereby causing the communication line (-
The transmission line between a and the transmission operation unit 65 is cut off.

The operation in one of the communication control systems shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 is the same as the operation in the other communication control system.

Therefore, even if a failure or the like occurs in one communication control system, the other communication control system can reliably ensure the minimum functions related to running the vehicle.

Furthermore, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the slave communication node that has caused a failure is disconnected from the communication line La based on the control command from the master communication node 33. Malfunctions of the entire system can be reliably avoided.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, when operating a plurality of loads of the same type by operating one switch, the plurality of loads are classified into the same number of groups as the number of communication systems,
Since the classified groups have different communication systems, even if one communication control system fails, the other communication control system ensures the minimum functions related to vehicle operation. It is possible to ensure that the device is equipped with a face-safe function.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 and 2 are block diagrams showing one embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the mask communication of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the slave communication node in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the conventional example, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the node. 7 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the mask communication node of FIG. 6. FIG. 1... Control device 3.5... Communication control device 7a, 7b... Control device 9a, 9b... Control device 11a, 11b... Terminal section 13a, 13b... Terminal control section 17a, 171)...control device 19a, 19
b...control devices 21a, 21b-
m terminal f1523a, 23b...terminal control unit 31a, 31b...terminal device

Claims (1)

[Claims] An on-vehicle load group including a plurality of on-vehicle loads of the same type and a plurality of sets of different types, a switch corresponding to each of the sets, and at least two connected to each of the switches. Communication control means, in which a communication line is connected to each communication control means, the on-vehicle loads within the group are classified into the same number of groups as the number of communication control means, and the classified groups form independent communication systems. 1. A communication control device for a vehicle, comprising: communication control means connected to different communication lines to separate in-vehicle loads.