JP5556732B2 - Starter drive count storage system and electronic control unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for storing a starter driving count for starting an engine of a vehicle.

  If the starter of a vehicle is used more than the specified number of times, the motor brushes and contacts that are the power source of the starter may be worn out, or the pinion gear that meshes with the engine ring gear may be worn out, leading to the end of the service life. There is.

  For this reason, a specific unit mounted on the vehicle counts and stores the number of times the starter is driven (that is, the number of times it is driven), and is stored in that unit (hereinafter referred to as a counting unit). When the number of driving times reaches a specified value, it is possible to replace the starter. In this case, a work method is conceivable in which a predetermined tester is connected to the counting unit and the current number of times of driving the starter is confirmed by reading the number of times of driving from the counting unit.

  Here, when the counting unit storing the starter drive count is replaced due to failure or the like, the drive count counted so far is lost, and the drive count is counted again from zero. It will be. Then, there arises a problem that the life of the starter comes before the drive count counted again reaches the specified value.

Therefore, as a countermeasure for this problem, for example, it is conceivable that an operator who replaces the counting unit performs the following number of driving operations.
That is, the operator reads the drive count from the counting unit by a tester before exchanging the counting unit, and after replacing the counting unit, the new counting unit is replaced with the new counting unit from the counting unit before the replacement. Write the read drive count. Then, by performing such a hand-over operation for the number of times of driving, the number of times of driving counted by the counting unit before replacement can be handed over to the counting unit after replacement.

  Although not related to the technology for storing the number of times the starter is driven, Patent Document 1 stores in advance the vehicle identification information unique to the vehicle in the memory of each of the units mounted on the vehicle. When each unit starts its operation, if the vehicle identification information is not stored in its own memory, it receives the vehicle identification information from other units by communication, and the received vehicle identification information is stored in its own memory. The technique of memorizing is described.

JP-A-11-255079

  By the way, the above-described countermeasure has a problem that it takes time and effort because a person needs to take over the number of times of driving. In addition, of course, when the operator has not performed all of the operations for taking over the number of times of driving, the number of times of driving is reduced even when a failure has occurred so that the number of times of driving cannot be read out in the unit before replacement. It will not be possible to transfer to a new unit after replacement.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when a unit that counts the number of times the starter is driven is replaced, the number of times counted so far can be automatically and accurately transferred to the new unit after replacement. The purpose is to do so.

  The starter drive count storage system according to claim 1 counts and stores the starter drive count for starting the engine of a vehicle, and includes three or more units capable of communication via a communication path. I have. Each of the plurality of units includes storage means for storing the number of times the starter is driven.

  One of the plurality of units is a master unit that counts the number of times the starter is driven and updates and stores the counted number of times of driving in the storage unit of the unit. In addition, the said unit is itself (the unit itself).

  The master unit includes driving number information transmitting means for transmitting driving number information indicating the counted number of driving times to a slave unit that is a unit other than the master unit among the plurality of units.

  On the other hand, each of the slave units includes backup update means for updating the drive count stored in the storage means of the unit based on the drive count information transmitted from the master unit.

For this reason, the number of times of driving counted by the master unit is also stored as backup data in the storage means of each slave unit.
Further, the master unit determines whether or not the number of driving times is stored in the storage unit of the unit, and when the determination unit determines that the driving number is not stored in the storage unit, A drive number request for requesting the transmission of the drive number is transmitted to the other unit, and the largest drive number among the drive numbers transmitted from each of the other units in response to the drive number request, Drive number restoration means stored in the storage means of the unit.

  In addition, each of the slave units, when a drive count request is transmitted from another unit, transmits the drive count stored in the storage unit of the unit to the drive count request transmission source. Means.

  For this reason, when the master unit that counts the number of times the starter is driven is replaced, in the new master unit after the replacement, the determination unit determines that the drive number is not stored in the storage unit. A drive count request is transmitted from the unit to each slave unit, and the drive count stored as backup data in the storage unit of each slave unit is transmitted from each slave unit to the master unit.

  In the new master unit after replacement, the largest drive number among the drive times transmitted from each slave unit is stored in the storage means as the drive number counted until the unit replacement time. Thereafter, the starter drive count is continued from the stored drive count value.

  Therefore, according to such a starter drive count storage system, when the master unit that counts the starter drive count is replaced, the drive count counted so far is automatically transferred to the new unit after replacement. Can be taken over.

  Furthermore, the master unit stores the largest number of times of driving from each slave unit in the storage means, that is, as the number of times of driving for determining the starter life (replacement time), Values that are severe conditions are stored in the storage means. Therefore, by determining whether or not the number of times of driving stored in the storage means has exceeded a specified value, it is possible to appropriately determine the starter replacement time, and the life of the starter is reduced before replacing the starter. The possibility of coming will be lower.

  For example, in the slave unit, updating the number of times of driving in the storage unit based on the number of times of driving from the master unit may fail due to noise, a temporary reset, a communication error, or the like. When a failure to update the number of driving times occurs, the number of driving times stored in one slave unit is smaller than the number of correct driving times stored in other slave units. A situation occurs in which the stored number of times of driving is different. And even when the master unit is replaced in such a situation, the drive count that is considered to be the most correct among the drive counts stored in each slave unit (the starter replacement timing can be correctly determined). Is also stored in the new master unit after replacement. Note that “stored in a unit” means that it is stored in the storage means of the unit in detail.

  For this reason, according to the starter drive count storage system of claim 1, when the master unit is replaced, the drive count counted so far is automatically automatically transferred to the new unit after replacement. Rather, it can be taken over with high accuracy.

  Further, according to the starter drive number storage system of claim 1, for example, even when not only the master unit but also any of the slave units and the master unit are exchanged as a set, the new master unit after the exchange includes It is possible to store the number of times of driving stored in other slave units that have not been replaced, and the ability to restore the number of times of driving is high.

By the way, as a method of updating the number of times of driving stored in the slave unit, the following two methods can be considered.
In the first method, as described in claim 6, the driving number information transmitting unit of the master unit transmits the counted driving number as the driving number information, and the backup updating unit of the slave unit is transmitted from the master unit. The transmitted drive count is updated and stored in the storage means of the unit. That is, this is a method in which the number of times of driving itself is transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit, and the number of times of driving is updated and stored in the storage unit of the slave unit. Hereinafter, the first method is referred to as a raw value update method.

  According to this raw value update method, even if a situation occurs in which the number of times of driving stored in each slave unit is different, the number of times of driving (number of times of driving) is transmitted from the master unit. Will be eliminated. Therefore, there is an advantage that the ability to return to the state where the same number of times of driving is stored in all units is high.

  Next, according to a second method, as described in claim 5, the driving number information transmitting means of the master unit uses as the driving number information an increase in the driving number from the previous transmission of the driving number information (both the difference). The backup update unit of the slave unit updates the number of times of driving stored in the storage unit of the unit to a value that is larger by the increment transmitted from the master unit. In other words, this is a method in which an increase in the number of times of driving is transmitted from the master unit, and the number of times of driving stored in the slave unit is increased by the increment. In the following, this second method is referred to as an incremental update method.

  Then, according to this incremental update method, there is an advantage that even if the starter drive count increases, the data amount of drive count information transmitted from the master unit to the slave unit can be reduced.

  Next, in the starter drive count storage system of claim 2, in the starter drive count storage system of claim 1, each of the slave units includes the determination means and the drive count restoration means, and the master unit also responds to the drive count response. Means.

  That is, also in each slave unit, the determination means determines whether or not the number of times of driving is stored in the storage means of the unit, and if it is determined by the determining means that the number of times of driving is not stored, The restoration means transmits a drive count request to another unit (in this case, another slave unit and a master unit), and the drive count transmitted from each of the other units in response to the drive count request. The largest number of times of driving is stored in the storage unit of the unit. In the master unit, when a drive count request is transmitted from another unit (in this case, any of the slave units), the drive count response means sends the drive count request to the transmission means of the unit. The number of driving times stored in is transmitted.

  According to this starter drive count storage system, even if any of the slave units is replaced, the determination means does not store the drive count in the storage means in the new slave unit after the replacement. The drive number request is transmitted from the slave unit to other units (other slave units and master unit), and the response is sent from each other unit to the new slave unit after replacement. Will be. Then, in the new slave unit after replacement, the largest driving number among the driving numbers transmitted from the other units is stored in the storage unit.

  For this reason, even when one of the slave units is replaced, the number of times of driving counted up to that time can be automatically and accurately transferred to the new slave unit after replacement. In preparation for the replacement of the master unit, it is preferable to create a state where the correct number of times of driving is stored in as many slave units as possible, and this can be realized.

  In particular, in the case of the above-described increment update method, only one of the slave units is replaced, and only the drive count information (the increment of the drive count) is transmitted from the master unit to the new slave unit after the replacement. Then, the number of times of driving stored in the new slave unit is merely a value increased from the initial value 0 by the above-mentioned increment, and it returns to the true value (correct number of times of driving) stored before the unit replacement. Absent. However, according to the system of claim 2, the number of times of driving stored in the new slave unit after replacement can be returned to the true value even in the incremental update method.

  Further, in the case of the raw value update method described above, if the drive count information (drive count) is transmitted from the master unit to the new slave unit after replacement, the drive count stored in the new slave unit is set. Although it is possible to return to the true value, according to the system of claim 2, the number of driving times stored in the new slave unit after replacement can be set even before the driving number information is transmitted from the master unit. It becomes possible to return to the true value. Therefore, it is still advantageous in that the slave unit can be set in a state where the correct number of times of driving is stored as soon as possible in preparation for the replacement of the master unit.

  Next, in the starter drive count storage system according to a third aspect of the present invention, each of the slave units is provided with a drive count correction means. Then, the drive number correction means transmits a drive number request to another unit when the determination means of the unit determines that the drive number is stored in the storage means of the unit, and drives the drive. Of the number of driving times transmitted from each of the other units in response to the number of times request and the number of driving times stored in the storage unit of the unit, the largest driving number is stored in the storage unit of the unit. To do.

  According to this starter drive count storage system, the drive count stored in a certain slave unit is smaller than the drive count stored in other units (other slave units and master unit) due to the update failure described above. Even in this case, the drive count stored in the slave unit can be corrected to the same value as the correct drive count stored in another unit. Regardless of the form of the drive count information from the master unit to the slave unit and whether or not the drive count information is transmitted, it is possible to maintain a state in which the correct drive count is stored in all slave units. it can.

  In particular, in the case of the above-described incremental update method, for example, of the slave units Sa and Sb, the drive count stored in the slave unit Sa is a true value drive stored in the master unit due to an update failure. Assuming that the value is smaller than the number of times, the number of times of driving stored in the slave unit Sa changes only at a value smaller than the true value.

  In such a situation, even if the master unit is replaced, there is no problem because the new master unit stores the correct number of times of driving stored in the other slave unit Sb.

  However, if the master unit is not replaced and the slave unit Sb has failed to update the drive count, and the drive count stored in the slave unit Sb is smaller than the true value, At the time of replacement of the master unit, it is no longer possible to store the correct drive count in the new master unit.

  In other words, in the case of the incremental update method, it is a very rare case, but when all the slave units fail to update the drive count, the correct drive count no longer remains on the slave unit side, so in that situation When the master unit is exchanged, there is a concern that the new master unit cannot store the correct drive count.

However, according to the starter drive number storage system of claim 3, such a concern can be avoided.
In addition, in the case of the raw value update method described above, even if the drive count stored in the slave unit is smaller than the true drive count stored in the master unit, it is transmitted from the master unit. The driving number stored in the slave unit can be returned to the true value by the driving number information.

  However, the starter drive number storage system according to claim 3 is advantageous even in the case of the raw value update method. This is because the drive count of the slave unit can be returned to the true value even before the drive count information is transmitted from the master unit, and in preparation for when the master unit is replaced, This is because the slave unit that has failed to update the drive count can be restored to the state where the correct drive count is stored as soon as possible.

  Next, in a starter drive number storage system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the starter drive number storage system according to the first to third aspects, the master unit includes drive number correction means similar to the drive number correction means described above.

According to this starter drive count storage system, it is possible to prevent the master unit from losing the correct drive count.
For example, in the master unit, after the drive count information is transmitted to the slave unit and before the drive count in the storage means is updated, the power is shut off or a reset occurs, and the drive count in the storage means If the master unit fails to update, the master unit will lose the correct drive count, but the master unit can receive the correct drive count from the slave unit and store it again by providing a drive count correction means in the master unit. Can do.

  In particular, in the case of the raw value update method described above, if the drive count stored in the master unit is incorrect, the drive count stored in all slave units is also affected. It is effective to provide

  By the way, in general, as a unit mounted on a vehicle, an ignition system unit that is activated by being supplied with operating power when the vehicle is in an ignition (IG) on state, and operates when the vehicle is in an accessory (ACC) on state. There is an accessory system unit that is activated when power is supplied.

  The ignition-on state can be said to be a state in which the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned on, but a push-switch type vehicle (that is, a push switch) that does not have a conventional ignition key cylinder that turns on / off the ignition switch. In some cases, the battery voltage is supplied to the ignition power supply line in the vehicle because there are also ignition power supply on / off, accessory power supply on / off, and starter on). That's it. Similarly, the accessory-on state can be said to be a state in which the accessory switch of the vehicle is turned on, but there are also push-switch type vehicles that do not have an ignition key cylinder. This is a state in which battery voltage is supplied to the line.

  In any unit, for example, the determination unit only needs to operate when the unit including the determination unit is activated, and the transmission of the drive count request based on the determination result of the determination unit is It suffices to be performed in a state where all the units constituting the starter drive number storage system are activated.

  For this reason, if the unit constituting the starter drive count storage system is unified with either the ignition system unit or the accessory system unit, the operation of the determination means and the transmission of the drive count request are started by the unit. It only has to be done when.

  In addition, when an accessory system unit and an ignition system unit coexist as a unit constituting the starter drive count storage system, the accessory system unit is started earlier than the ignition system unit. For example, the unit may be configured to transmit a request for the number of times of driving after confirming that the ignition unit is in an on state after the unit is activated and the determination unit operates. Further, the accessory system unit may be configured such that when the ignition is turned on, the operation of the determination unit and the transmission of the number of times of driving are performed as in the case of the ignition system unit.

  On the other hand, according to the electronic control unit of claim 7, it can be used as a master unit in the starter driving frequency storage system of claim 1, and according to the electronic control unit of claim 8, the starter driving frequency of claim 4. It can be used as a master unit in a storage system.

Further, according to the electronic control unit according to claim 9, it can be used as a slave unit in the starter drive count storage system of claim 2. Furthermore, according to the electronic control unit of the tenth aspect , it can be used as a slave unit in the starter drive number storage system of the third aspect.

It is a block diagram showing the starter drive frequency storage system of embodiment. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency addition process performed with a starter control unit. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency information transmission process performed with a starter control unit. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency backup update process performed in each unit other than the starter control unit. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency check process performed by all the units. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency restoration process in a drive frequency check process. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency correction process in the drive frequency check process. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency response process performed with all the units. It is a flowchart showing the starter degradation determination process performed with a starter control unit. It is a flowchart showing the deterioration determination result notification process performed by a starter control unit. It is a flowchart showing the deterioration determination result inquiry process performed with a tester. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency reset request | requirement process performed with a tester. It is a flowchart showing the drive frequency reset process performed with all the units.

The starter drive count storage system of the embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below.
As shown in FIG. 1, the starter drive count storage system of this embodiment includes a unit (starter control unit) 11 that controls a starter 3 for starting an engine 1 of a vehicle, and a unit (engine control) that controls the engine 1. A unit) 12, a unit (brake control unit) 13 for controlling the brake device of the vehicle, a unit (idle stop control unit) 14 for performing idle stop control which is control of automatic stop and restart of the engine 1, A unit (transmission control unit) 15 for controlling the automatic transmission of the vehicle, a unit (meter control unit) 16 for controlling the meter of the vehicle, and a unit (air conditioner control unit) 17 for controlling the air conditioner of the vehicle are provided. ing.

  Each of the units 11 to 17 is an electronic control unit including a microcomputer 21, a memory 23, a communication circuit 25, and the like, and is capable of data communication with each other via a communication line 27 provided in the vehicle. More specifically, the microcomputer 21, which is the central part of the processing operation of each unit 11 to 17, exchanges information by communicating with each other via the communication circuit 25 and the communication line 27 provided in the unit. A process for controlling each control target is performed.

  Further, the microcomputer 21 of each unit 11 to 17 is provided with a volatile RAM 21a. On the other hand, the memory 23 of each of the units 11 to 17 is a non-volatile memory capable of rewriting data. In this embodiment, the memory 23 is, for example, an EEPROM, but may be a so-called flash memory.

  In FIG. 1, the microcomputer 21, the memory 23, and the communication circuit 25 are illustrated only for the units 11 and 14, but are similarly provided for the other units. The unit 11 is provided with a drive circuit 29 that drives the starter 3 in accordance with a control signal from the microcomputer 21 of the unit 11.

  The communication line 27 is provided with a connector 33 for attaching / detaching a tester 31 that is an inspection device outside the vehicle. The tester 31 is communicable with each of the units 11 to 17 through the communication line 27 by being connected to the communication line 27. More specifically, the tester 31 includes a microcomputer 35, a display device 37, an operation unit 38, a communication circuit 39, and the like that are the central part of the processing operation. It communicates with the microcomputer 21 of each unit 11-17.

  In the starter drive count storage system of this embodiment, the starter control unit 11 is a master unit that counts the drive count of the starter 3 and updates and stores the counted drive count in the memory 23 of the unit 11. . Each of the other units 12 to 17 is a slave unit (units other than the master unit) that updates the number of times of driving stored in the memory 23 of the unit based on the number of times of driving transmitted from the starter control unit 11. ).

  That is, the number of times the starter 3 is counted counted by the starter control unit 11 is backed up not only in the memory 23 of the starter control unit 11 but also in the memories 23 of the other units 12 to 17 (stored as backup data). It has become so.

  On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the units 11 to 17 are started by being supplied with operation power when the vehicle is in an ignition-on state (a state in which a battery voltage is supplied to an ignition system power line in the vehicle). , The microcomputer 21 of the units 11 to 17 is activated). Further, when the vehicle is in an ignition-on state, the battery voltage is supplied to each of the units 11 to 17 not as an ignition power supply line but via a power supply relay (not shown) as an operation power. Even after the ignition is turned off (battery voltage is not supplied to the ignition power supply line in the vehicle), until the predetermined processing to be performed by the microcomputer 21 of the unit is completed, the above power supply relay is used. The operating power is continuously supplied. In the following, the period from when the vehicle is in an ignition off state until the supply of operating power to the units 11 to 17 is stopped is referred to as a final operation period.

Next, processing executed in each unit will be described.
First, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the drive number addition process executed by the starter control unit 11. This drive number addition process is executed by the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 at regular intervals, for example.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 starts executing the drive number addition process, first, in S120, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the starter 3 needs to be driven.
Needless to say, the starter 3 needs to be driven when the engine 1 is started. In this embodiment, when the user starts the engine 1 according to the start operation of the driver of the vehicle, the idle stop control is performed. This is either when the engine 1 that has been automatically stopped by the automatic restart is restarted (when restarting from the idle stop).

  In S120, it is determined that a predetermined user start permission condition is satisfied, and a start operation for starting the engine 1 by the driver (if the vehicle has an ignition key cylinder, the key is twisted). This is an operation to turn on the starter switch. In the case of a push switch type vehicle, when it is detected that the push switch has been pressed for a predetermined time or more), or automatically from the idle stop control unit 14 When a command to restart the engine 1 is transmitted, it is determined that the starter 3 needs to be driven. The user start permission condition is, for example, a condition that the shift position is the parking lock position (P position) and the brake pedal is depressed.

  If it is determined in S120 that the starter 3 is not required to be driven, the driving number adding process is terminated. If it is determined that the starter 3 is required to be driven, the process proceeds to S130. move on.

  In S130, the starter 3 is driven by the drive circuit 29, and the engine 1 is cranked. Then, fuel injection and ignition for the engine 1 are performed by the engine control unit 12. In S130, when it is determined that the engine 1 is in a complete explosion state (starting is complete, so-called engine 1 is applied), the drive of the starter 3 is stopped. The microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 determines whether or not the engine 1 has reached a complete explosion state, for example, based on the engine speed calculated based on a rotation signal from a crankshaft sensor (not shown) of the engine 1. To do.

  Then, in the next S140, a process of updating the start count of the starter 3 counted and stored by the unit 11 to one larger value is performed, and then the drive count adding process is terminated.

Here, how the number of times of driving is stored in the starter control unit 11 will be specifically described.
First, the starter control unit 11 continuously stores the number of times the starter 3 is driven using both the memory 23 and the RAM 21a in the microcomputer 21.

In step S140, the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 performs a process of adding 1 to the number of times of driving in the RAM 21a.
Further, the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 copies and saves the number of times of driving from the RAM 21a to the memory 23 during the final operation period from when the vehicle is in the ignition-off state until the operation power supply is stopped. Evacuation processing to be performed. Then, the number of times of driving is copied from the memory 23 to the RAM 21a by a driving number copy process that is performed immediately after the vehicle is turned on and the microcomputer 21 is activated. Note that the initial value of the number of times of driving in the memory 23 when the units 11 to 17 are manufactured is zero.

  Therefore, while the operation power is supplied to the starter control unit 11 and the microcomputer 21 is operating, every time the starter 3 is driven, the drive count is incremented by 1 on the RAM 21a, and the RAM 21a is updated to the latest. And the latest drive count is stored (saved) in the memory 23 while supply of operating power to the starter control unit 11 is stopped.

  As a modified example, in S140, the number of times of driving in the memory 23 may be updated to one larger value. That is, in S140, the number of times of driving may be read from the memory 23, and a value obtained by adding 1 to the read value may be written in the memory 23 as the updated number of times of driving. In this case, the latest drive count is always stored in the memory 23.

  Next, FIG. 3A is a flowchart showing a drive number information transmission process executed by the starter control unit 11. The driving number information transmission process is executed by the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11. Here, the description will be made assuming that the process is executed during the final operation period described above. However, as another example, the process is executed at regular intervals, for example, or when the number of times of driving is updated in S140 of FIG. You may be made to do.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 starts execution of the driving number information transmission process, first, in S150, the latest driving number stored in the RAM 21a (that is, the current driving number information) Drive count information indicating the final value of the drive count counted until the end of the operation period and also the drive count saved in the memory 23 by the save process is transmitted to all the other units 12-17.

  Then, in the next S155, it is confirmed that a reception completion response indicating that drive number information has been received has been transmitted from all the other units 12-17. Then, the driving number information transmission process is terminated. If the reception completion response is not transmitted from any of the units 12 to 17 even after a predetermined time, for example, the driving number information is retransmitted or a communication error history is stored.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the above-described increment update method is adopted, and in S150, as the drive count information, when the drive count information was transmitted last time (that is, the drive count information was transmitted in the previous S150). The increase (difference) in the number of driving times is transmitted. Therefore, if the number of times of driving has increased by N since the previous execution of S150, data indicating that N is transmitted as the number of times of driving in S150 of this time.

Further, the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 may execute the drive number information transmission process shown in FIG. 3B instead of the process in FIG.
That is, in the drive number information transmission process in FIG. 3B, first, in S160, any one of the other units 12 to 17 is designated as a designated unit, and the aforementioned drive number information is sent to the designated unit. . In step S163, it is confirmed that a reception completion response has been transmitted from the designated unit that has transmitted the drive count information. When the reception completion response is not transmitted from the designated unit even after a predetermined time, for example, the drive count information is retransmitted or a communication error history is stored.

  Then, in next S165, it is determined whether or not the transmission of the driving number information to all the units 12 to 17 is completed, and if there is an untransmitted unit that has not yet transmitted the driving number information, the untransmitted unit is transmitted. The process after S160 is repeated with one of the units as a designated unit. If it is determined in S165 that the transmission of the driving number information to all the units 12 to 17 has been completed, the driving number information transmission process ends.

  That is, in the process of FIG. 3A, the simultaneous transmission method for broadcasting the drive count information to all other units 12 to 17 is adopted, whereas in the process of FIG. A sequential transmission method is employed in which information is sequentially transmitted one to one to each of the other units 12-17.

  Note that the above-described raw value update method may be employed. In this case, the latest value stored in the RAM 21a as the drive count information in S150 of FIG. 3A or S160 of FIG. 3B. Data indicating the number of times of driving is transmitted as it is.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the drive number backup update process executed by the units 12 to 17 other than the starter control unit 11. This drive count backup update process is executed, for example, at regular intervals by the microcomputer 21 of each unit 12-17.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the microcomputer 21 of each of the units 12 to 17 starts executing the drive count backup update process, it first determines whether or not the drive count information from the starter control unit 11 has been received in S210. To do. The driving number information is transmitted in S150 of FIG. 3A or S160 of FIG. 3B. For this reason, the drive count backup update process may be executed only during the final operation period as in the process of FIG. 3A or 3B in the starter control unit 11.

  If it is determined in S210 that the drive number information has not been received, the drive number backup update process is terminated as it is. If it is determined that the drive number information has been received, the process proceeds to S220.

  In S220, a process of updating the drive count of the starter 3 stored in the unit (hereinafter referred to as the own unit) in which the microcomputer 21 is mounted to a value larger by the increment indicated by the received drive count information is performed. In the present embodiment, the units 12 to 17 store the drive count of the starter 3 in the memory 23. For this reason, in S220, the number of times of driving in the memory 23 is updated to a value that is larger by the increment indicated by the driving number information.

  Then, in the next S230, the above-described reception completion response is transmitted to the starter control unit 11, and then the drive count backup update process is terminated. The reception completion response transmitted in S230 indicates that the drive count information has been received as described above, but also indicates that the update of the drive count has been completed.

  In the case of the raw value update method described above, data indicating the number of times of driving itself is transmitted as the number of times of driving from the starter control unit 11 to the units 12 to 17, so in S220, the received number of times of driving is received. The drive count indicated by the information may be updated and stored as it is in the memory 23 of the own unit.

Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a driving number check process executed by all the units 11 to 17 including the starter control unit 11.
The driving number check process is executed by the microcomputer 21 of each of the units 11 to 17 immediately after the vehicle is turned on and the units 11 to 17 are activated. Further, in the starter control unit 11, this driving number check process is executed before the above-described driving number copying process (a process of copying the driving number from the memory 23 to the RAM 21a).

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the microcomputer 21 of each of the units 11 to 17 starts executing the drive count check process, first, in S320, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the drive count is stored in the memory 23.

  Specifically, the number of times of driving in the memory 23 (more specifically, data in a predetermined storage area prepared for storing the number of times of driving in the memory 23) is 0, which is an initial value when the unit is manufactured, Alternatively, if the error value is an abnormal value that cannot be normal, it is determined that the drive count is not stored in the memory 23. For this reason, when any of the units 11 to 17 is replaced with a new one and the new unit is activated for the first time, it is determined in S320 that the drive count is not stored in the memory 23. It becomes.

  If it is determined in S320 that the number of driving times is not stored in the memory 23, the processing proceeds to S330, where the driving number restoring process shown in FIG. 6 is performed, and then the driving number checking process is ended. If it is determined in S320 that the number of driving times is stored in the memory 23, the process proceeds to S340 to perform the driving number renewal process shown in FIG. 7, and then the driving number check process ends.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, in the drive number restoration process executed in S330 of FIG. 5, first, in S332, a drive number request for requesting the drive number is transmitted to all other units. When receiving the drive count request from another unit, the microcomputer 21 returns the latest drive count stored in the unit to the transmission source of the drive count request by the drive count response process of FIG. It is supposed to be.

  For this reason, in S333 following S332, the process waits until the number of driving times from all other units is received, and if the number of driving times from all other units has been received, all the received driving times ( It is determined whether the number of times of driving from all other units is the same. If it is determined that all the drive counts do not match, the process proceeds to S335, and the drive count having the largest value among the all drive counts is searched. In subsequent S336, the maximum number of driving times searched in S335 is written in the memory 23 of the own unit, and then the driving number restoring process is ended.

  If it is determined in S334 that all the received drive counts match, the process proceeds to S337 and the matched drive count is written in the memory 23 of the own unit. Then, the driving number restoration process is terminated.

  For this reason, when the drive number restoration process of FIG. 6 is executed, the drive number having the largest value among the drive numbers received from all other units is stored in the memory 23 as a restored value. . Further, in the starter control unit 11, the same number of driving times as that stored in the memory 23 is also stored in the RAM 21a by the driving number copying process.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, also in the driving number renewal process executed in S340 of FIG. 5, first, in S342, a driving number request is transmitted to all other units, and in the subsequent S343, all other times Wait until the number of driving times from the unit is received.

  If the number of times of driving from all other units is received (S343: YES), the received number of times of driving (number of times of driving from all other units) is stored in the own unit in the next S344. It is determined whether or not the number of driving times (specifically, the latest number of driving times stored in the memory 23 of the own unit) matches.

  If it is determined that all the received drive counts do not match the drive count stored in the own unit, the process proceeds to S345, and all the received drive counts are stored in the own unit. Among the number of driving times, the driving number having the largest value is searched. In the next S346, the maximum number of driving times searched in S345 is written in the memory 23 of the own unit, and then the driving number renewal process is terminated.

  If it is determined in S344 that all the received drive counts match the drive count stored in the own unit, the drive count stored in the own unit needs to be renewed. It is determined that there is no drive, and the driving number regeneration process is terminated as it is.

  For this reason, when the drive number renewal process in FIG. 7 is executed, the drive number having the largest value among the drive number received from all other units and the drive number stored in the own unit is obtained. Is stored in the memory 23. Further, in the starter control unit 11, the same number of driving times as that stored in the memory 23 is also stored in the RAM 21a by the driving number copying process.

  Next, FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the drive number response process executed by all the units 11 to 17 including the starter control unit 11. In addition, this drive frequency response process is performed by the microcomputer 21 of each unit 11-17, for example for every fixed time.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the microcomputer 21 of each of the units 11 to 17 starts executing the drive count response process, it first determines whether or not a drive count request from another unit has been received in S410. This drive count request is transmitted in S332 of FIG. 6 or S342 of FIG.

If it is determined that the drive count request has not been received, the drive count response process is terminated. If it is determined that the drive count request has been received, the process proceeds to S420.
In S420, the latest drive count stored in the own unit (specifically, the drive count stored in the memory 23 of the own unit) is transmitted to the source of the drive count request. Then, the driving number response process is terminated.

  The drive number request is transmitted from another unit immediately after the vehicle is in the ignition-on state and immediately after the microcomputer 21 is activated. Then, the number of driving times stored in the memory 23 is transmitted.

  Next, FIG. 9A is a flowchart showing starter deterioration determination processing executed by the starter control unit 11. The starter deterioration determination process is executed by the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 at regular intervals, for example. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the starter deterioration determination process is executed after the above-described driving number copy process.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, when the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 starts executing the starter deterioration determination process, first, in S510, the latest drive count stored in the own unit (this starter deterioration determination). At the time when the process is executed, it is determined whether or not the number of times of driving stored in the RAM 21a is equal to or greater than a predetermined deterioration determination value. The deterioration determination value is a value of the number of times of driving that may impair the function of the starter 3 due to wear of the brush or contact of the motor of the starter 3 or wear of the pinion gear. It is set to a value that is considered to be better if the starter 3 is replaced before the end of its lifetime. For this reason, the deterioration determination value is set to a value smaller than the limit driving number obtained from design or experiment that is considered to cause the starter 3 not to function normally.

  If it is determined in S510 that the number of times of driving is not equal to or greater than the deterioration determination value, the process proceeds to S520, where the deterioration determination result of the starter 3 is set to “no deterioration”, and then the starter deterioration determination process ends. To do.

  If it is determined in S510 that the number of times of driving is equal to or greater than the deterioration determination value, the process proceeds to S530, where the deterioration determination result of the starter 3 is set to “with deterioration”, and then the starter deterioration determination is performed. End the process.

  Note that the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 may execute the starter deterioration determination process shown in FIG. 9B instead of the process in FIG. That is, in the starter deterioration determination process of FIG. 9B, if the deterioration determination result is set to “deteriorated” in S530, the starter 3 deteriorates for the vehicle driver in the next S535. (In other words, it is necessary to replace the starter 3). When the deterioration determination result is set to “no deterioration” in S520, a process for turning off the warning lamp is performed in the next S525.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a deterioration determination result notification process executed by the starter control unit 11. This deterioration determination result notification process is executed by the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 at regular intervals, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11 starts executing the deterioration determination result notification process, first, in S540, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not a deterioration determination result request from the tester 31 has been received. If it is determined that the deterioration determination result request has not been received, the deterioration determination result notification process is terminated as is. If it is determined that the deterioration determination result request has been received, the process proceeds to S550. In S550, the deterioration determination result set in S520 or S530 of the starter deterioration determination process described above is transmitted to the tester 31, and then the deterioration determination result notification process ends.

  Next, FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a deterioration determination result inquiry process executed by the tester 31. In this deterioration determination result inquiry process, the user of the tester 31 (generally an operator who maintains the vehicle) connects the tester 31 to the communication line 27 and When an input operation for instructing whether or not the starter 3 is to be replaced is performed, it is executed by the microcomputer 35 of the tester 31.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the microcomputer 35 of the tester 31 starts execution of the deterioration determination result inquiry process, first, in S610, the above-described deterioration determination result request is transmitted to the starter control unit 11.

  Then, since the deterioration determination result is transmitted from the starter control unit 11 by the deterioration determination result notification process of FIG. 10 described above, it waits until the deterioration determination result is received in the next S620. If the deterioration determination result is received, the process proceeds to S630.

  In S630, it is determined whether or not the received deterioration determination result is “deterioration”. If the deterioration determination result is not “deterioration”, the process proceeds to S640, and the user of the tester 31 is notified of the starter. Notify that the exchange of 3 is unnecessary. Specifically, a message, a mark or the like indicating that the starter 3 need not be replaced is displayed on the display device 37. Then, the deterioration determination result inquiry process is terminated.

  If it is determined in S630 that the deterioration determination result is “with deterioration”, the process proceeds to S650. In S650, the user of the tester 31 is notified that the starter 3 needs to be replaced. Specifically, a message or mark indicating that the starter 3 needs to be replaced is displayed on the display device 37. Then, the deterioration determination result inquiry process is terminated.

  Next, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a drive count reset request process executed by the tester 31. In this drive count reset request process, the user of the tester 31 connects the tester 31 to the communication line 27 and performs an input operation to instruct the operation unit 38 of the tester 31 to reset the drive count. When done, it is executed by the microcomputer 35 of the tester 31.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the microcomputer 35 of the tester 31 starts to execute the drive count reset request process, first, in S660, all the units 11 to 17 storing the drive count are requested to reset the drive count. A drive count reset request is transmitted.

  Then, in the next S670, it is confirmed that a reset completion response indicating that the number of drive times has been reset has been transmitted from all the units 11-17. Then, the drive count reset request process is terminated. If a reset completion response is not transmitted from any of the units 11 to 17 even after a certain period of time, for example, a request for resetting the number of times of driving is retransmitted or an error is given to the user of the tester 31. For example, processing for notification is performed.

  Next, FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a driving number reset process executed in all the units 11 to 17. This drive count reset process is executed by the microcomputer 21 of each of the units 11 to 17 at regular intervals, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 13, when the microcomputer 21 of each of the units 11 to 17 starts executing the driving number reset process, first, in S710, the microcomputer 21 determines whether or not the driving number reset request from the tester 31 has been received. The drive count reset request is transmitted in S660 of FIG.

  If it is determined that the drive count reset request has not been received, the drive count reset process is terminated. If it is determined that the drive count reset request has been received, the process proceeds to S720.

  In S720, the number of driving times stored in the memory 23 of the own unit is reset to zero. In the starter control unit 11, the number of times of driving stored in the RAM 21a is also reset to zero.

Then, in the next S730, the above-described reset completion response is transmitted to the tester 31, and then the driving number reset process is ended.
In the starter drive count storage system of the present embodiment as described above, the starter control unit 11 counts the start count of the starter 3 and updates and stores the counted drive count in the RAM 21 a and the memory 23 of the unit 11. (FIG. 2) Further, a deterioration determination is performed as to whether or not the counted number of times of driving has become a deterioration determination value or more (FIG. 9).

  Then, if an operator who maintains the vehicle connects the tester 31 to the communication line 27 of the vehicle and performs an input operation to instruct the operation unit 38 of the tester 31 to check whether the starter 3 needs to be replaced, The deterioration determination result is transmitted from the control unit 11 to the tester 31, and a message indicating whether or not the starter 3 needs to be replaced is displayed on the display device 37 of the tester 31 according to the deterioration determination result. (FIGS. 10 and 11).

  Therefore, if the operator replaces the starter 3 in accordance with the message displayed on the display device 37 of the tester 31, the starter 3 is appropriately replaced before the starter 3 becomes incapable of functioning due to excessive product life. be able to.

  Further, when the operator replaces the starter 3 with a new one, if the operator performs an input operation to instruct the operation unit 38 of the tester 31 to reset the number of times of driving, the starter control unit 11 and the other units 12-17. Can be reset to 0 (FIGS. 12 and 13).

  Here, in particular, in the present embodiment, the starter control unit 11 transmits drive number information for notifying other units of the counted drive number to all other units 12 to 17 (see FIG. 3). The other units 12 to 17 update the number of times of driving stored in the memory 23 of the units 12 to 17 based on the number of times of driving from the starter control unit 11 (FIG. 4). ).

For this reason, the number of driving times counted by the starter control unit 11 is also stored as backup data in the memories 23 of the other units 12 to 17.
Further, when the starter control unit 11 is activated when the ignition is turned on, the starter control unit 11 determines whether or not the number of driving times is stored in the memory 23 (S320 in FIG. 5). 6 is replaced with a new one, and the drive number restoration process of FIG. 6 is performed. Then, by the drive count restoration process, a drive count request is transmitted to the other units 12 to 17 (S332), and the drive count transmitted from each of the other units 12 to 17 in response to the drive count request. The largest driving number is stored in the memory 23 of the unit 11 (S334 to S337), and the same driving as that stored in the memory 23 is also stored in the RAM 21a by the above-described driving number copying process. Memorize the number of times. For this reason, if a drive count request is transmitted from another unit, each of the units 12 to 17 transmits the latest drive count stored in the unit to the source of the drive count request. (Fig. 8).

  Therefore, when the starter control unit 11 is replaced, in the new starter control unit 11 after replacement, the largest drive number among the drive numbers transmitted from the other units 12 to 17 is the unit replacement. The number of driving times counted until the time is stored in the memory 23 and the RAM 21a, and thereafter, the counting of the number of driving times of the starter 3 is continued from the value of the stored driving number. For this reason, it is possible to automatically take over the number of times of driving counted up to the time of unit replacement to the new unit 11 after replacement.

  Further, the starter control unit 11 stores the largest number of times of driving from the other units 12 to 17 in the memory 23 and the RAM 21a, that is, the life of the starter 3 (replacement time). As the number of times of driving for determining this, a value that is the most severe condition is stored. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately determine the replacement time of the starter 3 by determining whether or not the stored number of times of driving is equal to or greater than the deterioration determination value, and the life of the starter 3 before the starter 3 is replaced. Can be further reduced.

  For example, in the units 12 to 17, there is a possibility that updating the number of times of driving in the memory 23 according to the number of times of driving from the starter control unit 11 may fail due to noise, a temporary reset, a communication error, or the like. When such a drive count update failure occurs, the drive count stored in one unit is smaller than the correct drive count stored in another unit, and There may be a situation where the number of times of driving stored in the units 12 to 17 is different. Even when the starter control unit 11 is replaced in such a situation, the drive count that is the largest drive count among the drive counts stored in the other units 12 to 17 and that is considered to be correct (starter) 3 is also the number of times the drive can be correctly determined), and is stored in the new starter control unit 11 after replacement.

  Therefore, according to the starter drive count storage system of the present embodiment, when the starter control unit 11 is replaced, the drive count counted so far is automatically transferred to the new unit 11 after replacement. In addition to the target, it is possible to carry over accurately.

  Further, for example, not only the starter control unit 11 but also any of the other units 12 to 17 and the starter control unit 11 are exchanged as a set, the new starter control unit 11 after the exchange was not exchanged. The number of times of driving stored in other units can be stored, and the ability to restore the number of times of driving is high.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, in units other than the starter control unit 11 (hereinafter also referred to as slave units) 12 to 17, whether or not the number of times of driving is stored in the memory 23 when activated with the ignition on is determined. If it is determined (S320 in FIG. 5) and the drive count is not stored, it is determined that the unit has been replaced with a new one, and the drive count restoration process in FIG. 6 is performed. For this reason, if the drive count request is transmitted from another unit, the starter control unit 11 also transmits the latest drive count stored in the unit to the transmission source of the drive count request. (Fig. 8).

  Therefore, even when any of the units 12 to 17 is replaced, it is determined that the drive count is not stored in the memory 23 in the new unit after the replacement (S320: NO), and starter control is performed from that unit. A drive count request is transmitted to each of the other units including the unit 11, and as a response thereto, the drive count is transmitted from each of the other units to the new unit after replacement. Then, in the new unit after replacement, the largest number of times of driving transmitted from the other units is stored in the memory 23.

  For this reason, even when any of the units 12 to 17 is replaced, the number of times of driving counted up to that time can be automatically and accurately transferred to the new unit after replacement. In preparation for when the starter control unit 11 is replaced, it is preferable to create a state in which the correct number of times of driving is stored in as many slave units as possible, and this can be realized.

  In particular, since the above embodiment employs the incremental update method, after any of the slave units 12 to 17 is replaced, the starter control unit 11 sends the drive count information (drive count information) to the new unit after the replacement. The transmission count stored in the new unit only increases from the initial value of 0 to the increase, and does not return to the correct value. However, according to the starter drive count storage system of the present embodiment, the drive count stored in the new slave unit after replacement can be returned to the correct value even with the incremental update method.

  Even when the raw value update method described above is adopted, the drive count stored in the new slave unit after replacement is set to the correct value before the drive count information is transmitted from the starter control unit 11. It will be possible to return. Therefore, it is also advantageous in that the correct drive count can be stored as soon as possible in preparation for when the starter control unit 11 is replaced.

  Further, in this embodiment, when each of the slave units 12 to 17 is activated when the ignition is turned on, when it is determined that the number of times of driving is stored in the memory 23 (S320: YES), FIG. The drive frequency renewal process is performed. Then, by the drive number renewal process, a drive number request is transmitted to the other unit (S342), and the drive number transmitted from each of the other units in response to the drive number request and the unit. Of the stored drive counts, the largest drive count is stored in the memory 23 of the unit (S344 to S346).

  Therefore, even if the drive count stored in a certain slave unit becomes smaller than the drive count stored in another unit due to the update failure described above, the drive count stored in that slave unit is reduced. , It can be corrected to the same value as the correct number of driving times stored in other units. In addition, it is possible to maintain a state in which the correct number of times of driving is stored in all the slave units.

  In particular, in the case of the incremental update method, it is a very rare case, but when all the slave units fail to update the drive count, the correct drive count does not remain on the slave unit side anymore. If the starter control unit 11 is replaced, there is a concern that the new starter control unit 11 cannot store the correct number of times of driving. However, according to the starter drive count storage system of this embodiment, such a concern can be avoided.

  In the case of the raw value update method described above, even if the slave unit fails to update the drive count, the drive count information is transmitted next time from the starter control unit 11 and stored in the slave unit. The drive count can be returned to the true value. However, even in the case of the raw value update method, it is still advantageous for the slave units 12 to 17 to perform the drive number renewal process of FIG. This is because the drive count of the slave unit can be returned to the true value even before the drive count information is transmitted from the starter control unit 11, and the starter control unit 11 is replaced. This is because the slave unit that failed to update the drive count can be restored to the state in which the correct drive count is stored as soon as possible.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the starter control unit 11 is also activated when the ignition is turned on, when it is determined that the number of driving times is stored in the memory 23 (S320: YES), the driving number renewal in FIG. Processing is to be performed.

For this reason, it is possible to prevent the starter control unit 11 from losing the correct number of times of driving.
For example, in the starter control unit 11, after transmitting the drive count information to the slave units 12 to 17 and before updating the drive count in the memory 23, the power supply is accidentally shut off or a reset occurs, If the update of the drive count in the memory 23 fails, the correct drive count will be lost, but the correct drive count is received from the slave unit and stored again by performing the drive count renewal process of FIG. Can do. In the case of the raw value update method, if the drive count stored in the starter control unit 11 is incorrect, the drive count stored in all the slave units 12 to 17 is also affected. It is particularly effective to perform the process of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, since the number of times of driving is also stored in the meter control unit 16 and the air conditioner control unit 17 which are not related to the control of the engine 1, the control of the engine 1 is caused by the malfunction of the engine 1 or the like. Even if a plurality of units (for example, the units 11, 12, 14 and the like) related to the are exchanged at the same time, it is possible to prevent the number of driving times from being lost.

  On the other hand, according to the above-described increment update method, the data amount of the drive count information transmitted from the starter control unit 11 to the slave units 12 to 17 can be kept small even when the drive count of the starter 3 increases. There are advantages.

  In this embodiment, in the starter control unit 11 as a master unit, the memory 23 and the RAM 21a correspond to storage means, and in the other units 12 to 17 as slave units, the memory 23 corresponds to storage means. ing. The communication line 27 corresponds to the communication path.

  Of the processes performed by the microcomputer 21 of the starter control unit 11, the drive number information transmission process of FIG. 3A or FIG. 3B corresponds to the drive number information transmission means, and the microcomputers 21 of the other units 12 to 17. Among the processes performed, the drive count backup update process of FIG. 4 corresponds to backup update means.

  Of the processes performed by the microcomputers 21 of the units 11 to 17, S320 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the determination unit, and the drive number restoration process in FIG. 6 corresponds to the drive number restoration unit, and the drive number in FIG. The rehabilitation process corresponds to the drive number correction means, and the drive number response process in FIG. 8 corresponds to the drive number response means.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such Embodiment at all, Of course, in the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention, it can implement in a various aspect. .

For example, each unit shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and may be a unit having another function.
Further, the communication path is not limited to a wired line (communication line 27), and may be a wireless communication path.
Moreover, you may deform | transform the said embodiment like each following modification, for example.

[Modification 1]
In the units 12 to 17 as well, similarly to the starter control unit 11, the number of times of driving is continuously stored by using both the memory 23 and the RAM 21a by performing the save process and the number of times of copying process described above. It may be.

[Modification 2]
In each of the units 12 to 17 other than the starter control unit 11, the microcomputer 21 performs the same processing as the processing of FIGS. 9A and 10, and further the deterioration of FIG. 11 executed by the tester 31. In the determination result inquiry process, the deterioration determination result request is transmitted to all the units 11 to 17, and the deterioration determination result transmitted from each unit 11 to 17 in response to the deterioration determination result request is displayed on the display device 37. You may comprise so that it may display.

  In this case, the user of the tester 31 can determine whether or not the starter 3 should be replaced by, for example, a majority decision of a plurality of deterioration determination results displayed on the display device 37. Further, the microcomputer 35 of the tester 31 may take a majority decision of the deterioration determination results from the units 11 to 17 and display the result of the majority decision on the display device 37.

[Modification 3]
Instead of the deterioration determination result, the drive count itself may be transmitted from the starter control unit 11 to the tester 31.

  In this case, the tester 31 may be configured such that the starter deterioration determination process similar to that in FIG. 9A is performed, and the deterioration determination result by the process is displayed on the display device 37. The display device 37 may be configured to display the number of times of driving. This is because, in the latter case, the operator may determine whether or not the starter 3 needs to be replaced from the number of driving times displayed on the display device 37.

  In the second modified example, similarly to the third modified example, the number of times of driving is transmitted from each of the units 11 to 17 to the tester 31, and for example, the number of times of driving from each of the units 11 to 17 is You may comprise so that it may display on the display apparatus 37. FIG.

[Modification 4]
When the raw value update method is adopted, in the drive number reset request process of FIG. 12 executed by the tester 31, the drive number reset request may be transmitted only to the starter control unit 11.

  If the drive count stored in the starter control unit 11 is reset to 0, the drive count information is transmitted from the starter control unit 11 to the other units 12-17, and stored in the other units 12-17. This is because the number of driving times can be reduced to zero.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Engine, 3 ... Starter, 11 ... Starter control unit 12 ... Engine control unit, 13 ... Brake control unit 14 ... Idle stop control unit, 15 ... Transmission control unit 16 ... Meter control unit, 17 ... Air-conditioner control unit 21, 35 ... Microcomputer 21a ... RAM, 23 ... Nonvolatile memory 25, 39 ... Communication circuit, 27 ... Communication line, 29 ... Drive circuit, 31 ... Tester 33 ... Connector, 37 ... Display device, 38 ... Operation unit

Claims (10)

A starter drive number storage system for counting and storing a starter drive number for starting an engine of a vehicle,
The unit includes three or more units capable of communicating via a communication path, and each of the units includes storage means for storing the number of times the starter is driven,
One of the plurality of units is a master unit that counts the number of times the starter is driven, and updates and stores the counted number of times of driving in the storage unit of the unit.
The master unit is
Drive number information transmitting means for transmitting the drive number information indicating the counted drive number to a slave unit that is a unit other than the master unit among the plurality of units,
Each of the slave units is
On the basis of the drive number information transmitted from the master unit, it comprises backup update means for updating the drive number stored in the storage means of the unit,
Furthermore, the master unit
Determination means for determining whether or not the drive count is stored in the storage means of the unit;
When the determination means determines that the drive count is not stored in the storage means, a drive count request for requesting transmission of the drive count is transmitted to another unit, and the drive count request A driving number restoring means for storing the largest driving number among the driving times transmitted from each of the other units in response to the storage means of the unit;
Each of the slave units is
Drive number response means for transmitting the drive number stored in the storage means of the unit to the source of the drive number request when the drive number request is transmitted from another unit ,
A starter drive frequency storage system characterized by The starter drive number storage system according to claim 1,
Each of the slave units also includes the determination unit and the driving frequency restoration unit,
The master unit also includes the drive number response means;
A starter drive frequency storage system characterized by The starter drive number storage system according to claim 2,
Each of the slave units is
When the determination unit of the unit determines that the drive count is stored in the storage unit of the unit, the drive count request is transmitted to another unit, and the drive count request is responded to Among the number of times of driving transmitted from each of the other units and the number of times of driving stored in the storage means of the unit, the number of times of driving that stores the largest number of times of driving in the storage means of the unit. Having correction means,
A starter drive frequency storage system characterized by The starter drive count storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The master unit is
When the determination unit of the unit determines that the drive count is stored in the storage unit of the unit, the drive count request is transmitted to another unit, and the drive count request is responded to Among the number of times of driving transmitted from each of the other units and the number of times of driving stored in the storage means of the unit, the number of times of driving that stores the largest number of times of driving in the storage means of the unit. Having correction means,
A starter drive frequency storage system characterized by The starter drive number storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The drive number information transmitting means of the master unit transmits the increase in the drive number from the previous transmission of the drive number information as the drive number information,
The backup update unit of the slave unit updates the number of times of driving stored in the storage unit of the unit to a value that is larger by the increment transmitted from the master unit;
A starter drive frequency storage system characterized by The starter drive number storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The driving number information transmitting means of the master unit transmits the counted driving number as the driving number information,
The backup update means of the slave unit updates and stores the drive count transmitted from the master unit in the storage means of the unit;
A starter drive frequency storage system characterized by The vehicle is mounted on a vehicle, can communicate with two or more other units via a communication path, and has a storage means for storing the number of times the starter is driven to start the engine of the vehicle. An electronic control unit that counts the number of times the starter is driven and updates and stores the counted number of times in the storage unit,
Drive number information transmitting means for storing the counted drive number in the other unit by transmitting drive number information indicating the counted drive number to the other unit;
Determination means for determining whether or not the drive count is stored in the storage means;
When the determination means determines that the drive count is not stored in the storage means, the drive count request for transmitting the drive count is transmitted to the other unit, and the drive count request Drive number restoring means for storing the largest number of times of driving transmitted from each of the other units in response to the storage means;
An electronic control unit comprising: The electronic control unit according to claim 7.
When the determination means determines that the drive count is stored in the storage means, the drive count request is transmitted to the other unit, and the other unit is responded to the drive count request. A drive number correcting means for storing the largest drive number among the drive number transmitted from each of the above and the drive number stored in the storage means in the storage means;
Electronic control unit characterized by An electronic control unit mounted on a vehicle and capable of communicating with other units via a communication path,
Storage means for storing the number of times the starter is driven to start the vehicle engine;
When the driving number information indicating the driving number is transmitted from the other unit, based on the driving number information, a backup update unit that updates the driving number stored in the storage unit;
When a drive count request for requesting transmission of the drive count is transmitted from the other unit, a drive count response means for transmitting the drive count stored in the storage means to the transmission source of the drive count request; ,
With
There are multiple other units that can communicate with the electronic control unit,
Furthermore, the electronic control unit
Determination means for determining whether or not the drive count is stored in the storage means;
When the determination means determines that the drive count is not stored in the storage means, the drive count request is transmitted to the other unit, and the other unit is responded to the drive count request. Driving number restoring means for storing the largest driving number among the driving numbers transmitted from each of the storage means,
An electronic control unit comprising: The electronic control unit according to claim 9 .
When the determination means determines that the drive count is stored in the storage means, the drive count request is transmitted to the other unit, and the other unit is responded to the drive count request. A drive number correcting means for storing the largest drive number among the drive number transmitted from each of the above and the drive number stored in the storage means in the storage means;
Electronic control unit characterized by

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