JP3281040B2 - Multiplex transmission equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a multiplex transmission apparatus, in particular, a first unit group having control means for controlling an electric load and communication means for performing multiplex communication, and a control means for controlling the electric load. The present invention relates to a multiplex transmission apparatus in which a second unit group having communication means for performing multiplex communication with the first unit group without having the second unit group is connected to a common multiplex transmission path.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent automobiles, various controls have been digitized in accordance with the rapid progress of electronics technology, and new electronic components have been increased in order to increase user requirements and added value. It tends to be mounted.
In this case, control signals are transmitted to each device using a wire harness in which a large number of electrical wirings are bundled. However, as electronics become more advanced, the wire harness becomes bloated, and the installation space is secured. And the layout tended to be difficult.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a multiplex transmission apparatus has been developed in which a multiplex communication technique is applied to an automobile, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-103044. This is, for example, a common multiplex communication line comprising a plurality of main multiplex communication units having a logic processing function for controlling various electric loads and a slave multiplex communication unit having no logic function for controlling the electric loads. Signals are exchanged between the multiplex communication units by being connected to each other via (multiplex transmission lines). According to this, a large number of signal lines are omitted as compared with the related art, the enlargement of the wire harness that bundles them is suppressed, and the wire harness is simplified, and the arrangement space thereof is reduced. And the wire harness can be laid out appropriately.

[0004]

By the way, in the above-described multiplex transmission apparatus for automobiles, for example, an electric load as various actuators such as an air compressor constituting an air conditioner or a drive motor for a power window is provided. Is connected to a common multiplex transmission path, while sensors for controlling the operation of an electric load provided for each unit are connected to each unit. In this case, by connecting a plurality of units to each other through a common multiplex transmission line, compared to the conventional case, the number of units is reduced, and the enlargement of the wire harness is suppressed. Each unit and the sensors are still connected by independent electric wiring, and particularly, when each unit and the sensors connected thereto are arranged separately from each other at the front part and the rear part of the vehicle body. In this case, the electric wiring for connecting the two is extremely long, so that it is not possible to reduce the amount of wiring, and by connecting a plurality of units via a common multiplex transmission line, the wire harness The meaning of the multiplex transmission for suppressing the enlargement of the line and saving the line is reduced.

Therefore, in order to reduce the number of lines between each unit and the sensors connected thereto, the sensors are made independent from each unit and a plurality of units having a control function of controlling an electric load are used. A second unit group is constituted by a plurality of units that constitute one unit group and are connected to various sensors and transmit detection signals detected by the sensors to the first unit group only and do not have a control function. The first unit group and the second unit group are connected to each other by a common multiplex transmission line, so that various signals detected by the sensors in the units constituting the second unit group can be transmitted through the multiplex transmission line. It is conceivable that the signal is transmitted to the first unit group via the second unit group. It is impossible to determine the activation state of the other units of the street. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, a state in which some of the units constituting the first unit group, for example, the control unit (A) for controlling the operation of the power window drive motor is not activated (OFF state).
Then, some units constituting the second unit, for example, the unit (B) having a sensor for detecting the ON state of the power window opening / closing switch is started (ON).
In this case, a signal indicating that the power window opening / closing switch is turned on is transmitted from the unit (B) to the unit (A).
The unit (A) has not been started yet,
A signal indicating that the power window opening / closing switch is turned on cannot be received, a reception error occurs, and the power window drive motor controlled by the control unit (A) is in a state of being operated. Nevertheless, a malfunction such as not being operated occurs.

Usually, when a reception error occurs in a specific unit, the transmission source unit repeatedly transmits data to the specific unit at a predetermined cycle. In this case, an extra signal is transmitted, and the traffic volume is temporarily increased, which may hinder transmission of other regular signals.

Therefore, the present invention provides a first unit group having control means for controlling an electric load and a communication means for performing multiplex communication, and a first unit group having no control means for controlling the electric load. In a multiplex transmission apparatus in which a second unit group having communication means for performing multiplex communication with the multiplex transmission apparatus is connected to a common multiplex transmission path, it is possible to reliably prevent a signal from not being received at the time of starting each unit. It is another object of the present invention to prevent an increase in traffic volume due to non-reception of a signal at the time of activation.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is characterized in that it is configured as follows.

First, the invention according to claim 1 of the present application comprises a first unit group having control means for controlling an electric load and communication means for performing multiplex communication, and a control means for controlling the electric load. A multiplex transmission apparatus in which a second unit group having communication means for performing multiplex communication with the first unit group without having the second unit group is connected to a common multiplex transmission path;
One unit of the first unit group has an activation signal transmitting unit that transmits an activation signal for activating the second unit when detecting that all units of the first unit group have been activated, Each of the units in the second unit group has a starting unit that starts itself when receiving a starting signal from the starting signal transmitting unit.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 of the present application is directed to
The electric load is controlled in the same manner as in the first aspect of the present invention.
A communication device for performing multiplex communication with the control device.
It has one unit group and control means for controlling the electric load.
Without performing multiplex communication with the first unit group.
Multiplexed transmission path common to second unit group having communication means
In the multiplex transmission apparatus connected to the first unit,
One unit of the group is a unit of all units of the first unit group.
A start detecting means for detecting whether or not the unit has started,
The other one unit of the first unit group performs the above-described start-up check.
Means that all units have been started.
Activation for activating the second unit when
Starting signal transmitting means for transmitting a signal;
The start signal transmitting means is provided in each unit of the two unit group.
To start itself when receiving a start signal from
It is characterized by having means.

[0011]

According to the above arrangement, the invention as defined in claim 1 is provided.
According to any one of the inventions described in claim 2, after all of the first unit group having the control means for controlling the electric load is activated, the activation signal provided to one of the first unit groups is provided. An activation signal is transmitted from the transmission means to the second unit group, and upon receiving the activation signal, each unit of the second unit group is activated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a signal from being transmitted from the second unit group to the first unit group in a state in which a part of the first unit group is not activated, and the first unit group is not activated. Non-reception of a signal on one unit group side is reliably prevented.

Further, since the first unit group side is reliably prevented from receiving a signal, the signal is not retransmitted from the second unit group side. Is prevented from being increased, and legitimate signals are efficiently transmitted and received between the control units.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In this embodiment, a case where the multiplex transmission apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an automobile will be described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a multiplex transmission apparatus according to the present embodiment. This multiplex transmission apparatus 1 includes a multiplex consisting of one or two twisted pair lines or the like formed in a loop. A plurality of units, for example, first to sixth units 3 to 8 are respectively connected to the transmission path (multiplex communication line) 2, and each unit 3 to 8 transmits and receives a multiplex signal. . An electric load 14 as various actuators is connected to the first to fourth units 3 to 6, respectively. These units constitute a first unit group A, and the fifth to sixth units are also connected to the first to fourth units 3 to 6. Various switches and sensors 15 are connected to the units 7 and 8, respectively, and the units 7 and 8 constitute a second unit group B.

The first unit 3 controls the operation of the engine, such as controlling the fuel injection amount, fuel injection timing, intake air amount, and the like. The second unit 4 locks the door. , A unit for braking the operation of the unlock mechanism and the opening and closing of the power window, and the third unit 5 is a unit for controlling the lighting of each lamp. Further, the fourth unit 6 is a unit for controlling various meters and indicators, and the fifth unit 7 is a unit for detecting the open / close state of an opening / closing body such as a door or a power window. 6
The unit 8 is a unit for detecting a turned-on state of switches for lighting each lamp.

The first unit 3 constituting the first unit group A is connected to various electric loads as actuators for controlling a fuel injection amount, a fuel injection timing, an intake air amount, and the like. An electric load such as an actuator for operating a door locking / unlocking mechanism or a drive motor for a power window is connected to the fourth unit 4. Various lamps including a headlight are connected to the third unit 5. Electrical load, such as a power supply, is connected. Furthermore,
Various meters and indicators are connected to the fourth unit 6.

On the other hand, the fifth and sixth units 7 and 8 constituting the second unit group B are provided with sensors and lamps for detecting the open / closed state of an opening / closing body such as a door or a power window. The switches for the connection are connected.

In the present embodiment, the first to fourth four units constituting the first unit group A in the multiplex transmission line 2 are described.
A total of six units are connected, ie, one unit 3 to 6 and the fifth and sixth two units 7 and 8 constituting the second unit group B, but the number of units connected to the multiplex transmission line 2 is Not limited to six, the first to sixth
In addition to the units 3 to 8, for example, a unit for performing anti-skid control for improving braking performance at the time of braking of the vehicle, a unit for performing four-wheel steering control for improving steering stability, and the like are provided as necessary. It is also possible to connect.

The power supply voltage from the battery is supplied to the first to sixth units 3 to 8 directly or when an accessory switch or an ignition switch is turned on, and each unit is started up. It is supposed to be.

Here, a specific configuration of each of the units 3 to 6 constituting the first unit group A will be described with reference to FIG. Since each of the units 3 to 6 has the same configuration, the configuration of the first unit 3 will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first unit 3 is connected to the multiplex transmission line 2 via a connector 10 and transmitted from the other control units 4 to 8 transmitted via the multiplex transmission line 2. Is received by a reception control unit 11a comprising a multiplex interface module, and the signal converted by the reception control unit 11a is input to a controller 12 where it is subjected to logical operation processing.
Is converted to a signal transmitted to the transmission control unit 11b, which is a multiplex interface module, and transmitted to the other units 4 to 8 via the multiplex transmission path 2. Further, various electric loads 14 are connected to the controller 12 via an output interface 13a.
The controller 12 outputs signals for controlling various electric loads 14.

On the other hand, the fifth constituting the second unit group B, and specific configuration of the sixth unit 7,8 will be described with reference to FIG. Since the units 7 and 8 have the same configuration, the configuration of the fifth unit 7 will be specifically described.

As shown in FIG . 3, similarly to the first unit 3 , the fifth unit 7 is connected to the multiplex transmission line 2 via a connector 10, and is transmitted via the multiplex transmission line 2. An information signal from another unit is received by the transmission / reception control unit 11 including a multiplex interface module,
An acknowledgment signal for the received signal is transmitted via the multiplex transmission path 2. Further, the transmission / reception control unit 11, the connector 1
6. Various switches and sensors 15 are connected via the input interface 13b, and signals from these switches and sensors 15 are input to the transmission / reception control unit 11 and transmitted via the multiplex transmission path 2. It has become.

By the way, in the present embodiment, the first
As information signals transmitted from the sixth to third units 3 to 8, various types of information are transmitted for each frame F having a configuration as shown in FIG. This frame F is S
OM (start of message) code, priority / destination address code, ID code, VALID / I
The frame configuration has an NVALID code, a data area, an EOD (end of data) code, an ACK area, and an EOM (end of message) code.

The SOM code is a code indicating the start of the frame F, and each of the units 3 to 8 recognizes the start of the frame F by receiving the SOM code. In the priority / destination address code, the priority is set in each of the units 3 to 8.
In the case where signals are transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of units and a signal collides, the priority order indicating which signal is to be preferentially processed is indicated. On the other hand, the destination address indicates a destination unit to which a signal is to be transmitted. Further, the ID code is a code indicating the content of the data of the frame F.
8 can know the contents of the data area of the frame F. The VALID / INVALID code is
This code indicates whether data to be transmitted is valid or invalid. The data area indicates the number of various types of data, the contents of each data, and the like, and the EOD code is a code indicating the end of the data. Further, the ACK area is for each unit 3 to
The EOM (End of Message) code is a code indicating the end of the frame F.

The ACK area is composed of a plurality of bits, for example, 16 bits. A predetermined bit area is assigned to each unit in correspondence with each of the units 3 to 8. Each of the units 3 to 8 confirms normal reception. That is, the source unit sets only the bit at the position corresponding to its own unit in the 16-bit ACK area to “0”, sets all other bits to “1”, and sets one “0” and 15 "1" bits are transmitted. On the other hand, in the receiving unit,
The contents of the received frame F are checked for errors, and if there are no errors, a reception acknowledgment signal (hereinafter referred to as an ACK signal) unique to each unit is placed in a bit area at a position set in advance for the own unit. ) Is returned to the source unit as "0". Therefore, a unit whose bit area in the ACK area is “0” indicates that the frame F has been normally received.

If no ACK signal is returned from the receiving unit, it is determined that a reception error has occurred, and the transmitting unit retransmits frame F repeatedly at a predetermined cycle. For example, if an ACK signal is not returned even after repeated transmissions three or more times, the unit is removed from the multiplex transmission path 2 as a system down for some reason.

Next, the control operation at the time of starting each of the units 3 to 8 of the first and second unit groups A and B, which is a characteristic part of this embodiment, will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first unit group A
The specific unit, for example, the controller 12 of the first unit 3 first performs an initial check in step S1, and determines in step S2 whether the engine rotation is in an idle state. Then, when the determination is YES, that is, when the engine rotation is in the idle state and the operating state of the generator is stabilized, the first
An activation frame as a signal for activating those units is transmitted to the other control units 4 to 6 of the unit group A. Next, in step S4, the timer is cleared, and in step S5, it is determined whether an ACK signal has been returned from each of the units 4 to 6 constituting the first unit group A, and in the case of YES, that is, each unit When the ACK signals from 4 to 6 are received, the activation of each unit is confirmed in step S6, and it is determined in step S7 whether a predetermined time set in advance has elapsed. Proceed to step S8. When it is determined as NO in step S5, that is, when any unit does not return the ACK signal, steps S5 to S7 are repeatedly executed until a predetermined time elapses. If the ACK signal is not returned from the specific unit, it is determined in step S6 that the specific unit is in a system down state and the unit in the activated state is confirmed.

Then, in step S8, the unit which has completed the activation and is in a state capable of multiplex communication is determined, and in step S9, the activation completion frame indicating that all the units of the first unit group A have been activated. Send

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, in response to the transmission (ON state) of the activation frame F from the first unit 3 forming the first unit group A, each of the other units transmits the frame F (ACK signal). ) Is returned (ON state), and when it is confirmed in the first unit 3 that all the units have been activated, the activation completion frame Fa is transmitted from the first unit 3 and then multiplexed as shown by the dotted line a. Enter the communication state.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the controller of the fourth unit 6 of the first unit group A first performs an initial check in step S10, and then starts up from the first unit 3 in step S11. It is determined whether a frame has been received. If YES, that is, if an activation frame has been received, the first unit 3
ACK signal is returned. Thereby, it is confirmed that the fourth control unit 6 is activated in the first control unit 3.

Next, in step S13, the first unit 3
Is determined whether a startup completion frame has been received from the
In other words, if it is confirmed that the activation completion frame has been received, the unit that has been activated in step S14 and is in a multiplex communication-capable state is determined, and the step S15 is performed.
And the fifth and sixth units 7, which constitute the second unit group B,
8 is transmitted. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, when all the units 3 to 8 of the first unit group A have completed the activation and the activation completion frame Fa has been transmitted, the fourth unit 6 transmits the second unit group B. , An activation frame Fb is transmitted, and the units 7 and 8 of the second unit group B are sequentially activated.

As shown in FIG. 7, the controllers of the fifth and sixth units 7 and 8 first determine in step S20 whether or not the activation frame from the fourth unit 6 has been received. That is, when the activation frame is received, the signal indicating the data of each is transmitted to the first unit group A as a frame in step S21. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the frame F as a data signal is transmitted from the units 7 and 8 constituting the second unit group B to the respective units 3 to 8 constituting the first unit group A. Become.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, all the units 3 to 3 of the first unit group A for controlling the electric load 14 are controlled.
After the start-up of each unit 6, each unit 7, 8 of the second unit group B is sent from the fourth unit 6 constituting the first unit group A.
, A start signal is transmitted, and by receiving this start signal, each of the units 7 and 8 of the second unit group B is started. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a signal from being transmitted from the second unit group B to the first unit group A in a state where some of the units of the first unit group A are not activated. In addition, the unreceived signal on the first unit group A side at the time of activation is reliably prevented.

Further, since the non-reception of the signal on the first unit group A side is reliably prevented, the signal is not retransmitted from the second unit group B side. An increase in the volume is prevented, and regular signals are efficiently transmitted and received between the units 3 to 8.

In this embodiment, the case where the multiplex transmission apparatus according to the present invention is applied to an automobile has been described. However, the target to which the multiplex transmission apparatus according to the present invention is applied is not necessarily limited to automobiles. Absent.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, after all of the first unit group having the control means for controlling the electric load have been activated, the activation provided in one of the first unit groups is started. An activation signal is transmitted from the signal transmission means to the second unit group, and upon receiving this activation signal, each unit of the second unit group is activated. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a signal from being transmitted from the second unit group to the first unit group in a state in which a part of the first unit group is not activated, and the first unit group is not activated. Non-reception of a signal on one unit group side can be reliably prevented.

Further, since the non-reception of the signal on the first unit group side is reliably prevented, the signal is not retransmitted from the second unit group side. Is prevented from increasing, and regular signals can be efficiently transmitted and received between the units.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic system diagram of a multiplex transmission device.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing a specific structure of a unit constituting a first unit group.

FIG. 3 is a system diagram showing a specific structure of a unit constituting a second unit group.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a specific configuration of a signal frame.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control operation of the first unit at the time of activation.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control operation of a fourth unit at the time of activation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control operation of fifth and sixth units at the time of activation.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a signal transmission state of each unit.

FIG. 9 is a time chart for explaining a problem at the time of starting a conventional multiplex transmission apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 multiplex transmission device 2 multiplex transmission line 3 to 8 first to sixth control unit 11 transmission / reception control unit 11 a reception control unit 11 b transmission control unit 12 controller 14 electric load unit 15 switch, sensor

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Koji Terayama, Inventor Koji Terayama 3-1, Shinchi, Fuchu-cho, Aki-gun, Hiroshima Prefecture Inside Mazda Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/42

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A first unit group having control means for controlling an electric load and a communication means for performing multiplex communication, and a first unit group having no control means for controlling the electric load. And a second unit group having communication means for performing multiplex communication in a multiplex transmission apparatus connected to a common multiplex transmission path, wherein one unit of the first unit group is A start signal transmitting unit for transmitting a start signal for starting the second unit when detecting that all units have been started,
A multiplex transmission apparatus, wherein each unit of the second unit group is provided with an activation unit that activates itself when receiving an activation signal from the activation signal transmission unit. 2. A multiplex communication with control means for controlling an electric load.
A first unit group having communication means for performing
The first unit has no control means for controlling the electric load.
Having communication means for performing multiplex communication with
A multiplex transmission in which two units are connected to a common multiplex transmission line.
A unit of the first unit group
Indicates whether all units of the first unit group have been activated
The first unit group
The other one unit is all activated by the activation detection means.
When it is detected that the unit has started,
Start sending a start signal to start two units
Signal transmitting means, and each unit of the second unit group
The unit receives a start signal from the start signal transmitting means.
Start-up means are provided to start itself when
A multiplex transmission device, characterized in that: