Control unit for vehicle and control system

• US 20060206241A1
• Filed: 01/23/2006
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1993
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Minowa, Toshimichi, Yoshida, Yoshiyuki, Morinaga, Shigeki, Ishii, Junichi, Kurata, Kenichiro, Katayama, Niroshi, Kayano, Mitsuo
• Granted Patent: US 7,653,462 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0005 Processor details or data handling, e.g. memory registers or chip architecture
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 11/007 the diagnostic devices measuring oxygen or air concentration downstream of the exhaust apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: F01N 2550/02 Catalytic activity of catalytic converters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2041/285 the sensor having a signal processing unit external to the engine control unit
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0404 Throttle position
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/0406 Intake manifold pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/501 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 37/02 one of the functions being ignition
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1454 the characteristics being an oxygen content or concentration or the air-fuel ratio
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/187 using a hot wire flow sensor
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/263 the program execution being modifiable by physical parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/266 the computer being backed-up or assisted by another circuit, e.g. analogue
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/00 Programme-control systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21015 Easy expansion, extension of I-O
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21021 Intelligent I-O, executes tasks independently from main cpu
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21127 Signal adaption I-O
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21137 Analog to digital conversion, ADC, DAC
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/21138 Variable filtering as function of kind of sensor signal
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23277 Use of separate interface software, main program calls functions from it
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23371 : Fixed and variable memory for parameters or user program
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24125 : Watchdog, check at timed intervals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25243 : Digital filter
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25301 : Expansion of system, memory
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25341 : Single chip programmable controller
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25435 : Multiplex for analog signals
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25451 : Connect module to bus using interface with adaptive logic
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2637 : Vehicle, car, auto, wheelchair
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 12/0802 : Addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means, e.g. caches
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/66 : of program code stored in read-only memory [ROM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/70 : Software maintenance or management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/40 : Engine management systems

Abstract

A vehicle control unit includes interface software memory means storing an interface software program for connecting an application software program with an OS (operating system) in an internal ROM, a CPU (central processing unit) for performing computation for the application software program and the interface software program, a RAM (erasable memory) storing data such as the result of computation, an I/O unit for extending the control unit, and extending means for communicating memory data through a bus or a LAN. A single-chip micro-computer used in vehicle control permits an increase in input/output points or the addition of functionality, in which case an application software program can continue to be used simply by rewriting the interface software program, without further remanufacturing of the core unit.

Claims

1. A control unit for controlling an operational condition of an automobile by performing a series of programs, wherein:

the series of programs includes an application program which computes information to be sent to a plurality of actuators based on information from a plurality of sensors, for controlling the operational condition of the automobile; and

the series of programs also includes an interface program for receiving signals from the plurality of sensors and sending signals to the plurality of actuators, said interface program computing signals necessary for use in the application program, and performing data transmission and reception with the application program using said computed signals; and

the application program and the interface program are modifiable independently of each other, such that when one program is modified, the other program can be used without modification.

2. An engine control unit which controls an operational condition of an engine by performing a series of programs, wherein:

the series of programs includes an application program which computes information to be sent to at least one of a fuel injection valve, distributor and ISC valve based on information from at least one of an air flow sensor, water temperature sensor, throttle opening degree sensor and crank angle sensor, for controlling the operational condition of the engine; and

the series of programs also includes an interface program for receiving signals from at least one of the air flow sensor, water temperature sensor, throttle opening degree sensor and crank angle sensor, for sending signals to at least one of the fuel injection valve, distributor and ISC valve, said interface program computing signals including at least one of intake air flow rate, water temperature, throttle opening degree and engine rotational number necessary for use in the application program, and performing data transmission and reception with the application program using said computed signals; and

the application program and the interface program are modifiable independently of each other, such that when one program is modified, the other program ca be used without modification.

3. An automatic transmission control unit which controls an operational condition of an automatic transmission by performing a series of programs, wherein:

the series of programs includes an application program which computes information to be sent to at least one actuator for controlling hydraulic pressure of the automatic transmission and to a solenoid for controlling transmission position, based on information with respect to at least one of a throttle opening degree, air flow rate, water temperature, idle switch signal and vehicle speed, for controlling the operational condition of the automatic transmission; and

the series of programs also includes an interface program for receiving signals regarding at least one of the throttle opening degree, air flow rate, water temperature, idle switch signal and vehicle speed, and for sending signals regarding at least one of line pressure for controlling hydraulic pressure for the automatic transmission, and a solenoid signal for controlling transmission position, said interface program computing signals including at least one of intake air flow rate, water temperature, throttle opening degree and engine rotational number necessary for use in the application program, and performing data transmission and reception with the application program using said computed signals; and

the application program and/or the interface program are modifiable independently of each other, such that when one program is modified, the other program can be used without modification.