JP5857798B2 - Control device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a control device.

  Hybrid vehicles have become widespread, and the era of electric vehicles has been reached. It is desirable to develop various related technologies. In plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, the battery can be charged by connecting the mounted battery and the outside of the vehicle.

  As is well known, various ECUs for controlling various parts of the vehicle are mounted on the vehicle. The ECU normally uses a flash memory (flash ROM) as storage means for vehicle control information. Flash memory can be written in free space but cannot be overwritten, erase is in blocks, data retention period is finite, so-called refresh (rewrite, eg, read out degraded recording data and rewrite it as normal data) It has a feature that a process called is necessary and the number of rewrites is limited.

  In the data recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 below, if there is no access to a recording area composed of a non-volatile memory capable of rewriting data for a predetermined time or longer, the recording is performed for a period until the access occurs again. If there is an area that needs to be scanned and refreshed, area specifying information for specifying the area is stored. Then, each time the power is turned on, the region specifying information is referred to, the corresponding region is refreshed, and then the normal operation is performed.

JP 2011-128751 A

  As described above, flash memory has a finite storage period, and cannot be overwritten and erased in units of blocks. As it is used, fragmentation progresses and access efficiency decreases. A refresh process is necessary. However, when performing refresh processing, it is necessary to prevent data loss and data inconsistency due to reset.

  In particular, in the case of a flash memory of an in-vehicle ECU, it is necessary to consider cranking reset (when the cranking switch is turned on, the battery voltage drops, and various devices operating with battery power are reset). Desired. Further, since the flash memory has a limited number of rewrites, it is necessary to efficiently perform the refresh process.

  In the conventional flash memory of the in-vehicle ECU, the refresh process is performed when the power supply state is stabilized or when there is no access for a certain period of time. However, the restriction on the number of rewrites and the cranking reset are not taken into consideration. Furthermore, the refresh method is conventionally divided execution, and the configuration for managing the execution state tends to be complicated.

  Therefore, in view of the above, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to make sure that, for example, a cranking reset is avoided in a refresh control for a nonvolatile memory (for example, a flash memory) provided in an in-vehicle electronic control device. It is to provide a control device that executes appropriately.

To achieve the above object, a control apparatus according to the present invention, provided in a vehicle, a power storage unit for storing power, said power storage unit and the connection unit which electrically connects the outside of the vehicle, said power storage It receives power from parts, and a control unit for controlling the equipment of the vehicle, wherein said control unit, when the power storage unit the connecting portion is in the connected state is being charged, a charging An acquisition means for acquiring information indicating that, and a non-volatile memory, and an execution means for executing a refresh process of the non-volatile memory when acquiring information indicating that the acquisition means is being charged. It is characterized by.

  As a result, in the control device according to the present invention, since the power storage unit of the vehicle performs the refresh control of the nonvolatile memory provided in the vehicle-mounted control unit while charging, the vehicle is stopped and a cranking reset occurs. The refresh process can be executed reliably without fear of losing data in a situation where it is certain that it will not.

Also, the vehicle is provided with a plurality of said control unit, said execution unit and said acquisition means and said non-volatile memory may be arranged in each of the plurality of control units.

  According to the present invention, the vehicle is provided with a plurality of control units, and when the power storage unit is being charged, the refresh process of the nonvolatile memory is executed for each control unit. The refresh process can be executed appropriately.

  In addition, the vehicle includes a distribution unit that acquires information indicating that the power storage unit of the vehicle is being charged, and distributes the information to the plurality of control units through in-vehicle communication of the vehicle, and the acquisition unit The information indicating that charging is being performed may be information distributed from the distribution unit.

  According to this invention, the vehicle has a distribution unit that centrally acquires and distributes information indicating that the power storage unit is being charged, and each control unit only needs to receive the distributed information. The configuration of each control unit can be simplified.

  A calculating means for calculating an elapsed time since the execution of the previous refresh process; and a stopping means for stopping execution of the refresh process by the executing means when the elapsed time calculated by the calculating means is shorter than a predetermined time; May be provided.

  According to the present invention, since the execution of the refresh process is stopped when the elapsed time from the previous refresh process is shorter than the predetermined time, the normal flash memory or the like appropriately copes with the upper limit on the number of rewritable times. Thus, unnecessary refresh processing is avoided and it is difficult to reach the upper limit of the number of rewritable times.

  Further, the calculating means includes a time measuring means for calculating time, a storage means for storing the time when the refresh process calculated by the time measuring means is executed, and the acquisition means calculated by the time measuring means being charged. Difference means for calculating the elapsed time based on the difference between the time when the information indicating that the information is acquired and the time when the refresh process stored in the storage means is executed may be provided.

  Specifically, according to the present invention, it is provided with a storage means for storing time every time the refresh process is executed, a time measuring means, and a means for calculating the elapsed time from the difference, and the elapsed time from the previous refresh process is more than a predetermined time. If it is shorter, the refresh process is stopped to avoid unnecessary refresh process, making it difficult to reach the upper limit of the number of rewritable times and reliably executing the refresh process.

The block diagram in one Example of the control apparatus of this invention. The figure which shows an example of the internal structure of ECU. The figure which shows another example of the internal structure of ECU. The flowchart which shows the example of the process sequence in central control ECU. The flowchart which shows the example of the process sequence in each ECU.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a control system 1 (hereinafter, system) according to the present invention.

  The system 1 includes a connector 2, a charging control device 4, a battery 5, a motor 6 (electric motor), a central control ECU 7 (Electronic Control Unit), ECUs 8 a, 8 b, 8 c, 8 d. The above-described units, at least the charging control device 4, the central control ECU 7, the ECUs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d,... Are connected by in-vehicle communication lines 9a, 9b, etc., so that information can be transmitted and received.

  The vehicle 2 is, for example, a plug-in vehicle (such as a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) or an electric vehicle (EV)), and uses the driving force of the motor 6 as at least a part of the driving force for traveling of the vehicle 2. What is necessary is just to set it as the motor vehicle equipped with the connector 3 which electrically connects the battery exterior 5 and the battery.

  The connector 3 is a connection part that electrically connects the battery 5 and the outside of the vehicle 2. For example, when a commercial power plug is connected to the connector 3, the battery 5 can be charged. In addition, when a plug extending from an electrical device is connected to the connector 3, the power stored in the battery 5 can be discharged (supplied) to the electrical device.

  The charge control device 4 is responsible for overall charge and discharge control of the battery 5. Further, the charging control device 4 outputs information on the battery 5 including charging and discharging information. The battery 5 is a storage battery that stores electric power consumed by the vehicle 2 (or outside the vehicle). As described above, the vehicle 2 is, for example, a PHV or EV, and the battery 5 supplies electric power to the motor 6 for traveling of the vehicle 2. The motor 6 receives supply of electric power from the battery 5 and outputs a driving force for traveling the vehicle 2 such as PHV or EV.

  The central control ECU 7 is an ECU that performs central control of a plurality of ECUs provided in the vehicle 2. The central control ECU 7 includes a charge state management unit 70 (distribution unit) and a control instruction unit 71 as a configuration related to the present invention. The charge state management unit 70 manages information on the charge state of the battery 5, that is, whether it is being charged or discharged. The charge state management unit 70 has the same configuration as a computer using the CPU 72, the memory 73, and the like. The CPU 72 executes various calculations. The memory 73 functions as a work area for the CPU 72 or stores data and programs necessary for the CPU 72.

  The control instruction unit 71 transmits various instructions relating to central control to the ECUs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d,... Through the in-vehicle communication lines 9a, 9b, etc., in particular, charging information of the battery 5 in the present invention. Each of the ECUs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d,... Is a control device that controls various equipment (electrical devices) of the vehicle 2 that operates by receiving power supplied from the battery 5. In FIG. 1, only four ECUs other than the central control ECU 7 and only two in-vehicle communication lines are shown, but the present invention is naturally applied to any number of ECUs and in-vehicle communication lines. The central control ECU 7 (and therefore the state of charge management unit 70), for example, may be equipped with one vehicle 2, that is, one distribution unit may be provided with the vehicle.

  In the present invention, each ECU has the internal configuration shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 2, each ECU includes a control unit related to refresh processing as hardware. Specifically, the ECU 8a (, 8b, 8c, 8d,...) Includes a CPU 80, a RAM 81, a flash memory 82, and a refresh control unit 83.

  The CPU 80 manages information processing such as computations and commands in the control processing handled by the ECU. The RAM 81 is a temporary storage unit that functions as a work area for the CPU 80. The flash memory 82 is a non-volatile storage unit (memory) that stores data and programs necessary for various information processing of the CPU 80.

  The refresh control unit 83 is a control unit that performs a refresh process on the flash memory 82 provided in the ECU. The refresh control unit 83 includes a CPU 830, a memory 831, and a timer 832. The CPU 830 executes information processing related to the entire refresh process.

  The memory 831 includes a temporary storage unit (RAM) as a work area for the CPU 830 and a non-volatile storage unit that stores data and programs for refresh processing. The timer 832 has a time measuring function by a known technique and calculates the current time. A specific refresh processing procedure by the refresh control unit 83 (or the CPU 830) is shown in FIG.

  The internal configuration of each ECU may be that shown in FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 3, the function of the ECU for performing the refresh process on the flash memory is realized as software. Specifically, the ECU 8a (, 8b, 8c, 8d,...) Includes a CPU 80, a RAM 81, and a flash memory 82.

  The CPU 80 manages information processing such as computations and commands in the control processing handled by the ECU. The RAM 81 is a temporary storage unit that functions as a work area for the CPU 80. The flash memory 82 is a non-volatile storage unit (memory) that stores data and programs necessary for various information processing of the CPU 80. The CPU 80 in FIG. 3 also manages the refresh process for the flash memory 82 of the ECU.

  The flash memory 82 stores a refresh process execution program 84 in advance, and the CPU 80 calls the program 84 to the RAM 81 to execute the refresh process of the flash memory 82. The specific content of the program 84 is, for example, FIG. In the configuration of FIG. 3, the CPU 80 may be provided with a timer function of the timer 832.

  Under the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the CPU 72 of the system 1 executes, for example, the process of FIG. The processing procedure of FIG. 4 may be stored in the memory 73 as a program 74 as shown in FIG. 1, and may be called by the CPU 72 and automatically and repeatedly executed at predetermined intervals.

  Specifically, in the process of FIG. 4, first, in S10, the CPU 72 acquires information on the remaining battery level. The battery remaining amount may be an actual value of the amount of power stored in the battery 5 at the current time point or a ratio of the remaining amount with respect to the total capacity of the battery 5. Subsequently, in S20, the CPU 72 acquires the amount of current. Here, the amount of current refers to a current value (total value) output from the battery 5 toward the electric devices in each part of the vehicle 2. The larger the current value, the higher the battery load. Note that the information acquired in S20 may be information indicating the amount of power output from the battery 5 at that time, not the current value (even if the power value is calculated by multiplying the current value and the voltage value). Good).

  Subsequently, in S30, the CPU 72 acquires connection information. The connection information is information indicating whether or not a plug is connected to the connector 3. In S40, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the connector 3 is being connected based on the connection information acquired in S30. If the connector is being connected (S40: YES), the process proceeds to S50, and if the connector is not connected (S40: NO), the process proceeds to S80.

  After proceeding to S50, the CPU 72 acquires charge / discharge information. The charge / discharge information is information indicating whether or not the battery 5 is being charged and information indicating whether or not the battery 5 is being discharged outside the vehicle. Charging means that, for example, a plug of commercial power is connected to the connector 3, and the commercial power is charged into the battery 5 (after AC is converted into DC). Discharging means that, for example, a plug of an electric device outside the vehicle is connected to the connector 3, and the electric power stored in the battery 5 is supplied (discharged) to the electric device.

  Subsequently, in S60, the CPU 72 determines whether or not the battery 5 is being charged based on the charge / discharge information acquired in S50. If the battery 5 is being charged (S60: YES), the process proceeds to S70, and if the battery 5 is not being charged (S60: NO), the process proceeds to S80.

  After proceeding to S70, the CPU 72 acquires power rate information. The power rate information is information indicating the current rate of commercial power being charged in the battery 5. However, the information may not be information on the specific charge itself, but may be information on whether or not the current time belongs to a time zone (for example, at night) when the power charge is low.

  In that case, for example, the CPU 72 has a timekeeping function, and information on a time zone where the electricity bill is cheap may be stored in the memory 73. In S70, the CPU 72 calculates the current time and compares it with the time zone stored in the memory 73 where the electricity rate is cheap, and determines whether the current electricity rate is cheap or normal.

  In S80, the CPU 72 obtains the information obtained above, that is, the remaining battery information obtained in S10, the current amount information obtained in S20, the connection information obtained in S30, the charge / discharge information obtained in S50, and S70. The power charge information acquired in step 1 is transmitted by the control instruction unit 71 through the in-vehicle communication lines 9a, 9b and the like. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  Next, the ECU 8a (, 8b, 8c, 8d...) Performs, for example, the processing shown in FIG. The ECU that executes the processing of FIG. 5 may be, for example, all the ECUs (other than the central control ECU 7) equipped in the vehicle 2. The internal configuration of the ECU may be the configuration shown in FIG. 2 or the configuration shown in FIG. Although described below as processing in the ECU 8a, the processing in FIG. 5 may be executed by all the ECUs 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d,.

  The processing in FIG. 5 is programmed in advance, and when the configuration of the ECU is in FIG. 2, it may be stored in the memory 831 and called by the CPU 830 and automatically executed at a predetermined cycle. If the configuration of the ECU is shown in FIG. 3, it may be stored as a program 84 in the memory 82, called by the CPU 80, and automatically executed at a predetermined cycle.

  In the process of FIG. 5, first, in S200, the ECU 8a receives the information transmitted from the central control ECU 7 in S80 described above. Subsequently, in S210, the ECU 8a extracts information on whether or not the battery 5 is being charged from the information received in S200, and determines whether or not the battery 5 is being charged. When the battery 5 is being charged (S210: YES), the process proceeds to S220, and when the battery 5 is not being charged (S210: NO), the process of FIG.

  After proceeding to S220, the ECU 8a calculates a period (elapsed time) from the previous refresh process. Specifically, the time of the previous refresh process stored in the memory (memory 831 or flash memory 82) is called, and the difference value between the current time (time) and the previous refresh time (time) is calculated. To do.

  Next, in S230, the ECU 8a determines whether or not the period (elapsed time) calculated in S230 is longer than a predetermined threshold value. If the period (elapsed time) is longer than the predetermined threshold (S230: YES), the process proceeds to S240, and if the period (elapsed time) is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold (S230: NO), the process of FIG. To do.

  After proceeding to S240, the ECU 8a executes a refresh process for the flash memory 82 provided in the ECU. In S240, the time (current time) at which the refresh process is performed is calculated by a timer and stored in the memory. This stored time is used as the previous refresh time in S220 in the processing of FIG. 5 after the next time. The above is the processing procedure of FIG.

  As described above, in the process of FIG. 5, the refresh process is executed only when the battery 5 is being charged (S210: YES) and the elapsed time from the previous refresh process is longer than the threshold (S230: YES) (S240). ). In S240, the refresh process may be performed as a batch process instead of a split process, for example.

  Normally, when the battery 5 is being charged, the vehicle 2 is parked (parked), the cranking switch is not likely to be turned on for a period sufficient for the execution of the refresh process, and the voltage and power state of the battery 5 is Since it is expected to be stable, the refresh process can be executed in a batch process instead of a split process in a stable state. If the processing cycle of FIGS. 4 and 5 is shortened, refreshing can be started immediately after the start of charging of the battery 5. In this case, the time margin is further increased and the refreshing process can be executed stably.

  In addition, since the refresh process is executed only when the elapsed time from the previous refresh process is longer than the threshold, unnecessary refresh process can be avoided. Therefore, the refresh process can be appropriately executed so as not to exceed the upper limit of the number of rewrites of the flash memory 82.

  The above-described embodiments may be appropriately modified within the scope of the spirit described in the claims. For example, although the flash memory is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, it may be an arbitrary nonvolatile memory. Further, for example, in the process of FIG. 4, some of S10, S20, S30, S50, and S70 may be omitted (for example, S10, S20, and 70 may be omitted), and S10, S20, and S30 are also included in S80. The information acquired in S50 and S70 may not be transmitted (for example, transmission of information in S10, S20, and 70 may be omitted).

1 Control system 2 Vehicle 3 Connector (connection part)
5 Battery (power storage unit)
8a, 8b, 8c, 8d ECU (control unit)
70 Charge state management unit (distribution unit)

Claims (5)

Equipped in the vehicle,
A power storage unit for storing electric power ;
A connecting portion for electrically connecting the outside of the vehicle and the power storage unit,
A control unit that receives supply of electric power from the power storage unit and controls equipment of the vehicle;
Including
The controller is
When the power storage unit the connecting portion is in the connected state is being charged, an acquisition unit configured to acquire information indicating the charging,
Non-volatile memory;
When the acquisition means acquires information indicating that charging is in progress, execution means for executing a refresh process of the nonvolatile memory ;
A control device comprising:
The vehicle includes a plurality of the control units,
Wherein said execution means non-volatile memory and said acquisition means, a control apparatus according to claim 1 arranged in each of the plurality of control units.
The vehicle includes a distribution unit that acquires information indicating that the power storage unit of the vehicle is being charged, and distributes the information to the plurality of control units through in-vehicle communication of the vehicle,
The control device according to claim 2, wherein the information indicating that charging is being acquired by the acquisition unit is information distributed from the distribution unit. A calculation means for calculating an elapsed time from the execution of the previous refresh process;
When the elapsed time calculated by the calculation means is shorter than a predetermined time, a stop means for stopping execution of the refresh process by the execution means;
The control apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: The calculating means includes
A time measuring means for calculating time;
Storage means for storing the time when the refresh process calculated by the time measuring means is performed;
The elapsed time is calculated based on the difference between the time calculated by the time measuring unit and indicating that the acquisition unit acquires information indicating that charging is being performed and the time when the refresh process stored in the storage unit is executed. Difference means,
The control device according to claim 4 provided with.

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