Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Generic control system – apparatus or process – Optimization or adaptive control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-11-20
Grant, William (Department: 2121)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Generic control system, apparatus or process
Optimization or adaptive control
C340S003430
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321127
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method for providing communication between controllers and a communication device used with the controllers. More particularly, it relates to a method for providing communication between controllers and a communication device used with the controllers, in which fewer communication lines are needed, reduced costs are achieved, and a space-saving and lighter-weight mobile body having the controllers disposed therein is attained.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In some mobile bodies, such as vehicles, a plurality of controllers are disposed therein in order to control an engine and a transmission, which are also provided in the mobile body, and data signals are communicated between the controllers to this end. An example of a communication device to be used with the aforesaid controllers is shown in FIG.
6
. In
FIG. 6
, reference numeral
302
denotes a first or engine controller for controlling an engine (not shown);
304
a second controller or drive system controller for controlling an automatic transmission (not shown); and,
306
a communication device between the engine controller
302
and the drive system controller
304
.
At least first and second data output means, more specifically, a water temperature sensor
308
and an air conditioner (A/C)
310
are provided and connected to the engine controller
302
through first and second signal lines, more specifically a water temperature signal line
312
and an air-conditioning signal line
314
, respectively. In addition, the engine controller
302
is linked to different data output means other than the water temperature sensor
308
, that is, various sensors (not shown) for outputting other data signals indicative of a throttle opening, the number of engine revolutions and the like.
The water temperature sensor
308
feeds a water temperature signal into the controller
302
by way of a first data signal. The water temperature signal is a signal providing information on how the engine is running. The air-conditioner
310
, which is driven by the engine, delivers a drive information signal, i.e., an air-conditioning on/off signal, to the controller
302
by way of a second data signal.
The engine controller
302
has the function of entering thereinto the water temperature signal from the sensor
308
, the air-conditioning signal from the air conditioner
310
, and other data signals, and then feeding the same signals into the drive system controller
304
at the following step. The engine controller
302
provides control over engine ignition timing and fuel in response to the entered water temperature signal and other data signals, while effecting control over activation and deactivation of the air conditioner
310
in accordance with the air-conditioning signal.
Turning now to
FIGS. 7 and 8
, the aforesaid water temperature signal is converted into duty value “T1” when being delivered to the drive system controller
304
from the engine controller
302
. The duty value varies with water temperature. More specifically, such a converted signal is entered into the drive system controller
304
at any value within predetermined range “R”, which range is defined by upper limit “TU” (e.g., 26.6 milliseconds) and lower limit “TL” (e.g., 9.81 milliseconds).
FIG. 8
shows an overall duty cycle of a water temperature output (WTO) having a value T of 32.7 milliseconds corresponding to 30.6 Hz.
The engine controller
302
determines the presence or absence of abnormalities such as failures of the water temperature sensor
308
and/or the air conditioner
310
as well as disconnection of the water temperature signal line
312
and/or the air-conditioning signal line
314
on the basis of the entered data signals such as the water temperature signal and/or the air-conditioning signal. When a determination is made that such abnormalities are present, then the engine controller
302
feeds first and second abnormal signals into the drive system controller
304
at the next step. The first abnormal signal is a water temperature abnormal signal representing an abnormal state of the water temperature sensor
308
, while the second abnormal signal is an air-conditioning abnormal signal indicating an abnormal state of the air conditioner
310
, as described in detail hereinafter.
The data signals are output and communicated from the engine controller
302
to the drive system controller
304
through the communication device
306
. The communication device
306
allows the engine controller
302
to be linked to the drive system controller
304
through first, second, and third communication lines which are a water temperature communication line
316
, an air-conditioning communication line
318
, and an air-conditioning abnormality communication line
320
, respectively.
The communication device
306
permits the water temperature and air-conditioning signals to be entered into the drive system controller
304
from the engine controller
302
through the water temperature communication line
316
and the air-conditioning communication line
318
. The drive system controller
304
provides gearshift control and slip control in accordance with the entered water temperature signal and air-conditioning signal. The gearshift control changes an engaged state of an auxiliary gearshift mechanism in the automatic transmission, while the slip control brings a lock-up clutch into semi-clutch engagement.
When the engine controller
302
determines, according to the water temperature signal, that the water temperature sensor
308
is in an abnormal state, then the communication device
306
allows the above-mentioned water temperature abnormal signal defined by the equation XDTHWHNF=1 to be fed into the drive system controller
304
through the water temperature communication line
316
.
At this time, the water temperature abnormal signal is entered into the drive system controller
304
at any value beyond the aforesaid predetermined range “R”. More specifically, the same abnormal signal is fed into the drive system controller
304
through the water temperature communication line
316
at lower limit-lessened value “TL
L
” beyond the predetermined range, which value is less than lower limit “TL”, as illustrated by a broken line in FIG.
7
.
Further, when the engine controller
302
determines, according to the air-conditioning signal, that the air conditioner
310
is in an abnormal state defined by the equation XDTHWLNF=1, then the communication device
306
allows the above-mentioned air-conditioning abnormal signal to be fed into the drive system controller
304
through the air-conditioning abnormality communication line
320
.
Examples of the above-described communication device are disclosed in published Japanese Patent Application Laid-Out Nos. 5-263710, 5-233577, and 7-69093.
A device according to the aforesaid Application No. 5-263710 includes first and second central processors. The first central processor calculates a drive amount of an actuator, and transmits a fail signal when a failure occurs. The second central processor controls the actuator in accordance with data of the drive amount which is sent from the first central processor. When abnormalities occur, then the first central processor transmits data as the fail signal to the second central processor, which data indicates a drive amount exceeding a limit of the drive amount of the actuator.
Another device according to the above Application No. 5-233577 includes at least three central processors and a fail communication line and a help communication line. One of the above processors is a main central processor, while the remainder are subordinate central processors. The above communication lines are disposed between the main processor and the subordinate processors for communicating a fail signal. When abnormalities occur, then the central processor sends the fail signal to the main processor, which in turn communicates the occurrence of the abnormalities to the subordinate processors through the aforesaid communic
Cabrera Zoila
Flynn ,Thiel, Boutell & Tanis, P.C.
Grant William
Suzuki Motor Corporation
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