U.S. patent application number 17/114371 was filed with the patent office on 2021-06-10 for control device.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yuko ASANO, Wataru KATO.
Application Number | 20210170961 17/114371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005608793 |
Filed Date | 2021-06-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210170961 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KATO; Wataru ; et
al. |
June 10, 2021 |
CONTROL DEVICE
Abstract
A control device is installed in a vehicle including an
electrical storage device to which is connected a plurality of
electrical paths. The vehicle includes an external signal
recognition device that recognizes a predetermined image or signal
based on an image outside of the vehicle or a signal from outside
of the vehicle, an external environment recognition device that
recognizes a predetermined environment based on a surrounding
environment of the vehicle when the predetermined image or signal
is recognized by the external signal recognition device, regardless
of whether a system of the vehicle is started, and a relay
connected to at least one object electrical path. The control
device includes a processor that turns the relay off when a count
of times of the external environment recognition device
continuously recognizing the predetermined environment for no
shorter than a predetermined time is no less than a predetermined
count of times.
Inventors: |
KATO; Wataru; (Toyota-shi,
JP) ; ASANO; Yuko; (Toyota-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Aichi-ken |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005608793 |
Appl. No.: |
17/114371 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60R 11/04 20130101;
B60R 2300/8093 20130101; B60R 2300/40 20130101; B60R 16/0231
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60R 11/04 20060101
B60R011/04; B60R 16/023 20060101 B60R016/023 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 9, 2019 |
JP |
2019-221933 |
Claims
1. A control device installed in a vehicle including an electrical
storage device to which is connected a plurality of electrical
paths, the vehicle including an external signal recognition device
configured to recognize a predetermined image or a predetermined
signal based on an image outside of the vehicle or a signal from
outside of the vehicle, an external environment recognition device
configured to recognize a predetermined environment based on a
surrounding environment of the vehicle when the predetermined image
or the predetermined signal is recognized by the external signal
recognition device, regardless of whether a system of the vehicle
is started, and a relay connected to at least one object electrical
path of the electrical paths, the control device comprising a
processor configured to turn the relay off when a count of times of
the external environment recognition device continuously
recognizing the predetermined environment for no shorter than a
predetermined time is no less than a predetermined count of
times.
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the external
signal recognition device is configured to recognize, as the
predetermined image, at least one of an image of a one-dimensional
code, an image of a two-dimensional code, and a plurality of image
patterns.
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the external
signal recognition device is configured to recognize, as the
predetermined signal, a light signal where light is emitted at a
different frequency from a household alternating current power
frequency, or a light signal where light is emitted at a
predetermined pattern at a frequency different from the household
alternating current power frequency.
4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the external
environment recognition device is configured to recognize at least
one of an inter-vehicular distance between the vehicle and an
adjacent vehicle being shorter than a predetermined distance, the
vehicle vibrating at a predetermined vibration, an inclination of
the vehicle being no smaller than a predetermined inclination, an
acceleration of the vehicle being a predetermined acceleration, and
sound outside of the vehicle being a predetermined sound, as the
predetermined environment.
5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle
includes at least one electrical component that does not need
supply of power when the vehicle is parked during shipping, but
needs supply of power when parked other than during shipping, and
wherein the object electrical path is connected to the electrical
storage device and to the electrical component.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2019-221933 filed on Dec. 9, 2019, incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a control device installed
in a vehicle that has an electrical storage device.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] There has been proposed, as a control device of this type,
one installed in a vehicle (electric vehicle) that has an
electrical storage device (main battery) (see Japanese Unexamined
Patent Application Publication No. 2014-150664 (JP 2014-150664 A)
for example). The electrical storage device is connected to a
plurality of electrical paths (positive lines and negative lines).
In this device, a user removes a fuse attached to an electrical
path connected to an accessory load out of the electric paths,
thereby cutting off this electrical path. This reduces dark
current.
SUMMARY
[0004] Under special circumstances that differ from normal usage
states of vehicles, such as when a vehicle is not used for a long
time due to being transported or the like, reducing dark current is
desirable, to suppress drop in the charge of the electrical storage
device during the period in which the vehicle is not being used. In
the above control device, the user cuts off the electrical path by
removing the fuse. However, the user may forget to remove the fuse,
resulting in the charge of the electrical storage device dropping.
Accordingly, cutting off the electrical path in a more sure manner,
to reduce dark current in a more sure manner, is desired.
[0005] The present disclosure provides a control device configured
to reduce dark current in a more sure manner.
[0006] A control device according to an aspect of the present
disclosure is installed in a vehicle including an electrical
storage device to which is connected a plurality of electrical
paths. The vehicle includes an external signal recognition device
configured to recognize a predetermined image or a predetermined
signal based on an image outside of the vehicle or a signal from
outside of the vehicle, an external environment recognition device
configured to recognize a predetermined environment based on a
surrounding environment of the vehicle when the predetermined image
or the predetermined signal is recognized by the external signal
recognition device, regardless of whether a system of the vehicle
is started, and a relay connected to at least one object electrical
path of the electrical paths. The control device includes a
processor configured to turn the relay off when a count of times of
the external environment recognition device continuously
recognizing the predetermined environment for no shorter than a
predetermined time is no less than a predetermined count of
times.
[0007] In the control device according to the aspect of the present
disclosure, the relay is turned off when a count of times of the
external environment recognition device continuously recognizing
the predetermined environment for no shorter than a predetermined
time is no less than a predetermined count of times. Accordingly,
the relay can be turned off upon having appropriately recognized
the state of the vehicle. Consequently, dark current can be
appropriately suppressed. The "predetermined image or predetermined
signal" here may be an image or signal set beforehand as a unique
image or signal that would not be encountered in normal vehicle
driving environments, or the like, such as on in-town roads or on
freeways. The "predetermined environment" may be an environment set
beforehand as a unique environment or the like, encountered when
the vehicle is being shipped by a car carrier vessel or a car
carrier train or the like.
[0008] In the control device according to the aspect of the present
disclosure, the external signal recognition device may be
configured to recognize, as the predetermined image, at least one
of an image of a one-dimensional code, an image of a
two-dimensional code, and a plurality of image patterns. In the
control device according to the aspect of the present disclosure,
the external signal recognition device can recognize the
predetermined image in a more sure manner.
[0009] In the control device according to the aspect of the present
disclosure, the external signal recognition device may be
configured to recognize, as the predetermined signal, a light
signal where light is emitted at a different frequency from a
household alternating current (AC) power frequency, or a light
signal where light is emitted at a predetermined pattern at a
frequency different from the household AC power frequency. In the
control device according to the aspect of the present disclosure,
the external signal recognition device can recognize the
predetermined signal in a more sure manner. The "predetermined
pattern" may be a pattern where two or more frequencies that differ
from the household AC power frequency alternate repeatedly, or the
like.
[0010] Further, in the control device according to the aspect of
the present disclosure, the external environment recognition device
may be configured to recognize at least one of an inter-vehicular
distance between the vehicle and an adjacent vehicle being shorter
than a predetermined distance, the vehicle vibrating at a
predetermined vibration, an inclination of the vehicle being no
smaller than a predetermined inclination, an acceleration of the
vehicle being a predetermined acceleration, and sound outside of
the vehicle being a predetermined sound, as the predetermined
environment. In the control device according to the aspect of the
present disclosure, the external environment recognition device can
recognize the predetermined environment in a more sure manner. The
"predetermined distance" may be a distance or the like set
beforehand as an inter-vehicular distance shorter than that which
the vehicle would encounter in a normal parking environment in town
or at home or the like. The "predetermined vibration" may be a
vibration set beforehand as a vibration or the like that the
vehicle would not encounter in a normal parking environment, but as
a vibration unique to when the vehicle is being shipped by a car
carrier train or a car carrier vessel or the like. The
"predetermined inclination" may be an inclination set beforehand as
an inclination that the vehicle would not encounter in a normal
parking environment, but is an inclination unique to when the
vehicle is being shipped by a car carrier train or a car carrier
vessel or the like. The "predetermined acceleration" may be an
acceleration set beforehand as an acceleration that the vehicle
would not encounter in a normal parking environment, but is an
acceleration unique to when the vehicle is being shipped by a car
carrier train or a car carrier vessel or the like. The
"predetermined sound" may be a sound set beforehand as a sound that
the vehicle would not encounter in a normal parking environment,
but is a sound unique to when the vehicle is being shipped by a car
carrier train or a car carrier vessel or the like.
[0011] Further, in the control device according to the aspect of
the present disclosure, the vehicle may include at least one
electrical component that does not need supply of power when the
vehicle is parked during shipping, but needs supply of power when
parked other than during shipping. The object electrical path may
be connected to the electrical storage device and to the electrical
component. In the control device according to the aspect of the
present disclosure, the electrical path can be cut off more
appropriately.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial
significance of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described below with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating
a configuration of an automobile 20 in which is installed a control
device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a
parked-state processing routine executed by a power source ECU 40;
and
[0015] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing inside of a
car carrier vessel.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0016] An embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will
be described below by way of examples, with reference to the
drawings.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating
the configuration of an automobile 20 in which is installed a
control device according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure. The automobile 20 is configured as an electric vehicle
that is capable of traveling under power from a motor driven by
electric power from a traction battery, which is omitted from
illustration. The automobile 20 includes a battery 22, a relay 25,
an external signal recognition device 30, and a power source
electronic control unit (hereinafter referred to as "power source
ECU") 40.
[0018] The battery 22 is configured as a lithium-ion secondary cell
that has a lower rated voltage than the traction battery, which is
omitted from illustration. Power lines (electrical paths) from a
plurality of electrical components are connected to the battery 22
via power lines (electrical paths) 24. Examples of the electrical
components include an automotive navigation system 26, the power
source ECU 40, a drive electronic control unit (hereinafter
referred to as "drive ECU") 50 that controls a drive system such as
motors, the external signal recognition device 30, an onboard
camera 32, a vibration sensor 42, clearance sonars 44a through 44d,
a microphone 46, and so forth. Connected to the battery 22 via the
power lines (electrical paths) 24 are power lines (electrical
paths) 28 connected to the automotive navigation system 26, power
lines (electrical paths) 41 connected to the power source ECU 40,
power lines (electrical paths) 54 connected to the drive ECU 50,
and although omitted from illustration, power lines (electrical
paths) each connected to the external signal recognition device 30,
the onboard camera 32, the vibration sensor 42, the clearance
sonars 44a through 44d, and the microphone 46. The battery 22
supplies power to the power lines 24 regardless of whether the
system of the vehicle is started.
[0019] The relay 25 is attached to the power lines 28.
[0020] The external signal recognition device 30 is configured as a
microcontroller configured primarily of a central processing unit
(CPU) that is omitted from illustration, and including, besides the
CPU, read-only memory (ROM) to store processing programs, random
access memory (RAM) to temporarily store data, input and output
ports, a communication port (all omitted from illustration), and so
forth. When the system starts up, image signals from the onboard
camera 32 that photographs outside of the vehicle every
predetermined time interval (e.g., every 0.5 seconds) are input to
the external signal recognition device 30 via the input port.
[0021] The external signal recognition device 30 matches the images
outside of the vehicle based on the image signals from the onboard
camera 32 with a predetermined image imref stored in the ROM
beforehand, and when the image outside of the vehicle matches the
predetermined image imref, determination is made that the
predetermined image imref has been recognized. The predetermined
image imref may be one image set beforehand as a unique image
(e.g., an image of a two-dimensional code or one-dimensional code
or the like) that would not be encountered in normal vehicle
driving environments, such as on in-town roads or on freeways, or a
plurality of image patterns set beforehand. In an example, the
predetermined image imref is a QR code (registered trademark) image
set beforehand.
[0022] The power source ECU 40 is configured as a microcontroller
configured primarily of a CPU (a processor) that is omitted from
illustration, and including, besides the CPU, ROM to store
processing programs, RAM to temporarily store data, input and
output ports, a communication port (all omitted from illustration),
and so forth.
[0023] Signals from various types of sensors are input to the power
source ECU 40 via the input port. Examples of signals input to the
power source ECU 40 include vehicle vibrations Vib from the
vibration sensor 42 that serves as an acceleration sensor that can
detect vibrations of the vehicle, detection signals Sca through Scd
from the clearance sonars 44a through 44d attached to the four
corners of the vehicle, sound signals Sm from the microphone 46
that is attached within the vehicle cabin and detects sound, and so
forth. Another example is an ignition signal Sig from an ignition
switch (IG) 48. Further examples include recognition results Re
from the external signal recognition device 30, and so forth.
Various types of control signals are output from the output port of
the power source ECU 40. Examples of signals output from the power
source ECU 40 include drive control signals to the relay 25, and so
forth. The power source ECU 40 transmits various types of data to
the drive ECU 50 and receives various types of data from the drive
ECU 50 through communication. The power source ECU 40 is supplied
with power from the battery 22 and operates, regardless of whether
the system of the vehicle is started. p
[0024] The power source ECU 40 computes distances Lfl, Lfr, Lrl,
and Lrr to objects (obstructions) situated in the directions of the
four corners, based on the detection signals Sca through Scd from
the clearance sonars 44a through 44d attached to the four corners
of the vehicle.
[0025] Next, operations of the automobile 20 configured in this
way, and in particular, operations of the automobile 20 when a
manufacturer has loaded the vehicle in a car carrier vessel and is
shipping for long distances, will be described. FIG. 2 is a
flowchart illustrating an example of a parked-state processing
routine executed by the power source ECU 40. This routine is
executed when the vehicle is parked in a state where the ignition
switch 48 is turned off and the system is shut down. Note that even
when the system of the vehicle is shut down, the automotive
navigation system 26, external signal recognition device 30,
onboard camera 32, power source ECU 40, vibration sensor 42,
clearance sonars 44a through 44d, microphone 46, and drive ECU 50
operate under power supplied from the battery 22.
[0026] When this routine is executed, the CPU in the power source
ECU 40 determines whether the external signal recognition device 30
has recognized the predetermined image imref based on the
recognition results Re from the external signal recognition device
30 (step S100). Now, description regarding the inside of the car
carrier vessel will be described.
[0027] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for describing the inside
of the car carrier vessel. A matching image Im that is the same as
the predetermined image imref stored beforehand in the ROM of the
external signal recognition device 30 is displayed inside the car
carrier vessel, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The vehicle enters into
the car carrier vessel through an entrance of the car carrier
vessel, being driven by an employee of the manufacturer or the
like, while taking images of the outside of the vehicle by the
onboard camera 32. The vehicle is driven through the car carrier
vessel, is stopped at a predetermined parking position, and
thereafter the ignition switch 48 is turned off and the system is
shut down. At this time, the matching image Im is in an image
captured by the onboard camera 32. The external signal recognition
device 30 accordingly inputs recognition results Re, indicating
that the predetermined image imref is recognized, to the power
source ECU 40. Accordingly, step S100 is processing for determining
whether the vehicle has driven through the inside of the car
carrier vessel.
[0028] When the external signal recognition device 30 does not
recognize the predetermined image imref in step S100, determination
is made that parking of the vehicle is being performed in a normal
usage range of the user and is not parking for shipping by a
carrier vessel, and the routine ends.
[0029] When the external signal recognition device 30 does
recognize the predetermined image imref in step S100, determination
is made that parking of the car is not being performed in a normal
usage range of the user but rather is parking for shipping by a
carrier vessel. Subsequently, vehicle vibrations Vib from the
vibration sensor 42, computed distances Lfl, Lfr, Lrl, and Lrr to
objects (obstructions) from the four corners of the vehicle, and
sound signals Sm from the microphone 46, are input as detection
values of various types of sensors (step S110).
[0030] Next, determination is made regarding whether the
surrounding environment has been recognized as being a
predetermined environment unique to being shipped by a car carrier
vessel, based on the detection values of the various types of
sensors that have been input (step S120). In step S120,
determination is made that the surrounding environment has been
recognized as being a predetermined environment unique to being
shipped by a car carrier vessel when at least one of the following
three conditions is satisfied. The first condition is that the
vehicle vibrations Vib are vibrations unique to those of a vehicle
loaded on a car carrier vessel at sea. The second condition is that
at least one of the distances Lfl, Lfr, Lrl, and Lrr to objects
(obstructions) from the four corners of the vehicle is smaller than
a predetermined distance, (e.g., 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, or the like).
The third condition is that the sound signals Sm from the
microphone 46 are signals indicating sound unique to that detected
by a vehicle loaded on a car carrier vessel at sea.
[0031] When the surrounding environment is not the predetermined
environment in step S120, determination is made that there is a
possibility that the vehicle currently is not being shipped in a
car carrier vessel. The flow returns to the processing of step
S110, and steps S110 and S120 are repeated until the surrounding
environment is recognized as being the predetermined environment
unique to being shipped by a car carrier vessel in step S120.
[0032] When the surrounding environment is found to be the
predetermined environment unique to being shipped in step S120,
determination is made that the probability that the vehicle
currently is being shipped in a car carrier vessel is very high.
Determination is then made regarding whether a continuous execution
time td where the determination of continuously executing the
determination in step S120 is no shorter than a predetermined time
tref1 (step S130). The predetermined time tref1 is set to, for
example, 25 minutes, 30 minutes, 35 minutes, or the like.
[0033] When the continuous execution time td is shorter than the
predetermined time tref1, the flow returns to step S110, and the
processing of steps S110 through S130 is repeated until the
continuous execution time td is no shorter than the predetermined
time tref1 in step S130. Note that when the surrounding environment
is not found to be the predetermined environment unique to being
shipped in step S120, the value of the continuous execution time td
is reset to a zero value.
[0034] When the continuous execution time td is no shorter than the
predetermined time tref1 in step S130, next, a count Nr is computed
by incrementing a previous value (previous Nr) of a count of the
continuous execution time td being no shorter than the
predetermined time tref1 by 1, and the value of the continuous
execution time td is reset to zero (step S140). The previous Nr is
set to a zero value when step S140 is executed the first time after
the system of the vehicle has been shut down.
[0035] Next, determination is made regarding whether the count Nr
is no smaller than a predetermined count Nref1 (step S150). The
predetermined count Nref1 is a threshold value for determining
whether it is appropriate to finalize that the vehicle is currently
being shipped by a car carrier vessel, and is set to, for example,
four times, five times, six times, or the 1 like.
[0036] When the count Nr is smaller than the predetermined count
Nref1 in step S150, determination is made that finalization that
the vehicle is currently being shipped by a car carrier vessel
cannot be made. The flow then returns to step S110, and the
processing of steps S110 through S150 is repeated until the count
Nr is no smaller than the predetermined count Nref1 in step
S150.
[0037] When the count Nr is no smaller than the predetermined count
Nref1 in step S150, determination is made that finalization that
the vehicle is currently being shipped by a car carrier vessel can
be made, and a drive control signal is transmitted to the relay 25
to turn the relay 25 off (step S160). The relay 25 is turned off by
the drive control signal, upon having finalized that the vehicle is
currently being shipped by a car carrier vessel. Accordingly, the
power lines 28 can be cut off in a sure manner as compared to
manually removing the fuse, and supply of power from the battery 22
to the automotive navigation system 26 can be cut off.
[0038] The reason why the relay 25 is turned off and supply of
power from the battery 22 to the automotive navigation system 26 is
cut off in step S160 is as follows. In a normal usage range of the
user, when the vehicle is not being shipped, setting of
destinations to the automotive navigation system 26 is often
performed while parked. Accordingly, it would be better to supply
power to the automotive navigation system 26 when the vehicle is
parked by not being shipped. When the vehicle is being shipped by a
car carrier vessel, there is no route guidance to be performed by
the automotive navigation system 26, so there is no problem with
cutting off power to the automotive navigation system 26 and
shutting down the automotive navigation system 26. That is to say,
the automotive navigation system 26 does not need supply of power
when the vehicle is parked during shipping, but needs supply of
power when the vehicle is parked other than during shipping.
Turning the relay 25 off in step S160 eliminates electric power
consumption by the automotive navigation system 26 due to cutting
off supply of power, so dark current can be reduced in a more sure
manner, and the battery 22 can be suppressed from going dead in a
more sure manner.
[0039] After turning the relay 25 off in this way, determination is
made next regarding whether a recovery operation has been performed
(step S170). The recovery operation is an operation set beforehand
as an operation to be performed by an employee of the manufacturer
or the like to restore the relay 25 to on again, such as when the
vehicle is to be temporarily unloaded from the car carrier vessel,
when the parked position of the vehicles is to be changed, or the
like, during a long shipment of the vehicle on the car carrier
vessel. The recovery operation may be an operation where the
ignition switch 48 is turned from off to on for no less than a
predetermined count Nref2 times within a predetermined time period
tref2, for example. The predetermined time period tref2 is set to,
for example, 10 seconds, 15 seconds, 20 seconds, or the like. The
predetermined count of Nref2 times is set to, for example, three
times, four times, five times, or the like.
[0040] When the recovery operation is not executed in step S170,
step S170 is repeated, and the flow stands by in a state where the
relay 25 is off.
[0041] When the recovery operation is executed in step S170, the
relay 25 is turned on (step S180), and the routine ends. Thus,
execution of the recovery operation turns the relay 25 on, so at
times such as, during a long shipment on the car carrier vessel,
when the vehicle is to be temporarily unloaded from the car carrier
vessel or when the parked position of the vehicles is to be changed
the relay 25 can be turned on and the vehicle can be driven.
[0042] According to the automobile 20 in which the control device
according to the example described above is installed, the relay 25
is turned off when the count Nr of continuously recognizing the
predetermined environment unique to shipping for no shorter than
the predetermined time tref1 is no less than the predetermined
count Nref1, whereby dark current can be suppressed in a more sure
manner.
[0043] The external signal recognition device 30 can recognize an
image of a one-dimensional code or an image of a two-dimensional
code, and a plurality of image patterns, as the predetermined image
imref. Accordingly, the external signal recognition device 30 can
recognize the predetermined image imref in a more sure manner.
[0044] Also, the power source ECU 40 recognizes that the
surrounding environment is the predetermined environment unique to
shipping when at least one of the first condition that the vehicle
vibrations Vib are vibrations unique to those of a vehicle loaded
on a car carrier vessel at sea, the second condition that at least
one of the distances Lfl, Lfr, Lrl, and Lrr to objects
(obstructions) from the four corners of the vehicle is smaller than
a predetermined distance, (e.g., 20 cm, 25 cm, 30 cm, or the like),
and the third condition that the sound signals Sm from the
microphone 46 are signals indicating sound unique to that detected
by a vehicle loaded on a car carrier vessel at sea, is satisfied.
Accordingly, the predetermined environment can be recognized in a
more sure manner.
[0045] Further, the relay 25 is attached to the power lines
(electrical paths) 28 to the automotive navigation system 26 that
does not need supply of power when parked during shipping but needs
supply of power when parked other than during shipping.
Accordingly, a more appropriate cutoff of power lines (electrical
paths) can be performed.
[0046] According to the automobile 20 in which the control device
according to the example is installed, the external signal
recognition device 30 can recognize at least one of an image of a
one-dimensional code, an image of a two-dimensional code, and a
plurality of image patterns, as the predetermined image imref, and
the predetermined image imref is displayed within the car carrier
vessel. However, an arrangement may be made where the external
signal recognition device 30 is capable of recognizing light
signals where light is emitted at a different frequency (e.g., 110
Hz, 170 Hz, etc.) from the two frequencies for household AC power
in Japan (50 Hz and 60 Hz), or light signals where light is emitted
at a predetermined pattern at a frequency different from household
AC power frequencies, as the predetermined signals, and a device
that emits such light signals may be installed within the carrier
vessel. Light signals where light is emitted at a predetermined
pattern at a frequency different from household AC power
frequencies may be, for example, light signals where light emission
at a first frequency (e.g., 110 Hz) and light emission at a second
frequency (e.g., 170 Hz) are alternated at predetermined time
periods. The first frequency and the second frequency may be
frequencies that differ from an integer multiple of household AC
power frequencies (100 Hz, 150 Hz, 200 Hz, and so forth, for the
frequency of 50 Hz, and 120 Hz, 180 Hz, 240 Hz, and so forth, for
the frequency of 60 Hz). Also, the first frequency and the second
frequency may be selected such that the first frequency and the
second frequency are frequencies that differ from an integer
multiple of household AC power frequencies, and further are
frequencies where the sum of the first frequency and the second
frequency differs from an integer multiple of household AC power
frequencies. Generally, frequencies commonly used for signals in
town are the same as or integer multiples of a household AC power
frequency. Accordingly, using the predetermined signals that are
the same as a household AC power frequency or the same as an
integer multiple of a household AC power frequency, or using
predetermined signals where the sum of the first frequency and the
second frequency is an integer multiple of a household AC power
frequency, may result in recognizing a common signal in town as
being the predetermined signal in step S100 of the parking-state
processing routine exemplified in FIG. 2, and erroneously
recognizing that the vehicle is driving inside a car carrier
vessel. Such erroneous recognition can be suppressed by using
predetermined signals of frequencies such as described above.
[0047] With regard to the automobile 20 in which the control device
according to the example is installed, the predetermined image
imref is displayed within the car carrier vessel. However, it is
sufficient for the predetermined image imref to be displayed at a
location allowing the onboard camera 32 to capture that image while
the vehicle is being driven to the car carrier vessel. For example,
the predetermined image imref may be displayed near the entrance to
the car carrier vessel, or may be displayed at the entrance to the
port where the car carrier vessel is docked. When there is a
particular route that the vehicle travels to the car carrier
vessel, the predetermined image imref may be displayed at a
location allowing the onboard camera 32 to capture that image, such
as on a building or on the road on the particular route.
[0048] According to the automobile 20 in which the control device
according to the example is installed, the surrounding environment
is recognized as being the predetermined environment unique to
being shipped when at least one of the first condition through the
third condition is satisfied in step S120 of the parked-state
processing routine exemplified in FIG. 2. However, arrangements may
be made where the surrounding environment is recognized as being
the predetermined environment unique to being shipped only when two
of the first condition through the third condition are satisfied,
or when all three of the first condition through the third
condition are satisfied. Further, these three conditions do not all
have to be used, and arrangements may be made where the surrounding
environment is recognized as being the predetermined environment
unique to being shipped when just the first condition or just the
second condition is satisfied, for example.
[0049] According to the automobile 20 in which the control device
according to the example is installed, determination is made
regarding whether the surrounding environment has been recognized
as being a predetermined environment unique to being shipped by a
car carrier vessel in step S120 of the parked-state processing
routine exemplified in FIG. 2, based on the vehicle vibrations Vib,
the distances Lfl, Lfr, Lrl, and Lrr to objects (obstructions) from
the four corners of the vehicle, detected by the clearance sonars
44a through 44d, and the sound signals Sm from the microphone 46.
However, inclination of the vehicle, detected by a sensor that
detects inclination of the vehicle as to the pavement or the
parking surface of a car carrier vessel, and acceleration of the
vehicle detected by an acceleration sensor that detects
acceleration, may be used in addition to the detection values of
these sensors, or instead of the detection values of these sensors.
In this case, the inclination of the vehicle being no smaller than
a predetermined inclination may be a fourth condition, and the
acceleration of the vehicle being a predetermined acceleration may
be a fifth condition. When taking the fourth and fifth conditions
into consideration in addition to the first through third
conditions, determination may be made regarding that the
surrounding environment has been recognized as being a
predetermined environment unique to being shipped by a car carrier
vessel when at least one of the first through fifth conditions is
satisfied.
[0050] In the automobile 20 in which the control device according
to the example is installed, the present disclosure has been
exemplified with regard to application to a shipment form of the
vehicle being shipped by a car carrier vessel. However, the
shipment form of the vehicle is not limited to shipment by a car
carrier vessel, and may be applied to other moving objects, such as
shipment by a car carrier train, for example. In this situation,
the predetermined image imref may be displayed at a location
allowing the onboard camera 32 to capture that image, such as in
the car carrier train, at a train station, or the like. Also, in
step S120 of the parked-state processing routine exemplified in
FIG. 2, it is sufficient for determination to be made regarding
whether the surrounding environment has been recognized as being a
predetermined environment unique to being shipped by a moving
object, based on detection values of the various types of sensors
that have been input. For example, when the moving object is a car
carrier train, in step S120 the first condition may be that the
vehicle vibrations Vib are vibrations unique to a vehicle loaded on
a car carrier train traveling on rails (e.g., vibrations that
periodically occur due to rail joints). The third condition may be
that the sound signals Sm from the microphone 46 are signals
indicating a sound unique to a vehicle loaded on a car carrier
train traveling on rails (e.g., a sound that periodically occurs
due to rail joints). Further, application is not limited to such
times of shipping, and may be applied to any special situation in
which the vehicle is placed, that differs from normal usage
situations of the vehicle.
[0051] According to the automobile 20 in which the control device
according to the example is installed, the relay 25 is attached to
the power lines 28 of the automotive navigation system 26. However,
the relay 25 may be attached to power lines (electrical paths) to
other electrical components that do not need supply of electric
power when parked during shipping but need supply of electric power
when parked at times other than during shipping. Examples of other
electrical components include a dashcam, a meter, a clock, a tilt
mechanism that adjusts the angle of the steering wheel, a
telescopic mechanism that adjusts the front-rear position of the
steering wheel, a sliding roof mechanism, seat memory that stores
seat position in accordance with users, various types of electronic
control units (ECUs) that do not have to be supplied with electric
power during shipping, such as an entertainment electronic control
unit (entertainment ECU) or a communication electronic control unit
(communication ECU) that governs communication, a data
communication module (DCM) that transmits information regarding the
vehicle to a traffic information management center and receives
traffic information from the traffic information management center,
a wireless charger provided onboard to charge wireless devices such
as smartphones or the like, and so forth. Also, at least one object
electrical component to which electric power is not supplied under
a special situation that differs from normal usage situations of
the vehicle may be decided beforehand, and the relay may be
attached to power lines (object electrical paths) connecting
between the object electrical component and the electrical storage
device.
[0052] The automobile 20 in which the control device according to
the example is installed uses the battery 22 made up of a
lithium-ion secondary cell as the electrical storage device.
However, the secondary cell making up the battery 22 may be a
secondary cell other than a lithium-ion secondary cell, such as a
lead acid battery or the like, for example. Further, a capacitor
may be used instead of the battery 22.
[0053] Correlation between principal elements of the example and
principal elements of the present disclosure described in the
SUMMARY will be described. In the example, the external signal
recognition device 30 can be understood to be an "external signal
recognition device", the power source ECU 40 can be understood to
be an "external environment recognition device", the relay 25 can
be understood to be a "relay", and the power source ECU 40 can be
understood to be a "control device".
[0054] Note that the correlation between principal elements of the
example and principal elements of the present disclosure described
in the SUMMARY does not limit the elements of the present
disclosure described in the SUMMARY, since the example is an
exemplification for describing a specific embodiment for carrying
out the present disclosure described in SUMMARY. That is to say,
interpretation of the present disclosure described in the SUMMARY
should be made based on the description therein, and the example is
only a specific exemplification of the present disclosure described
in the SUMMARY.
[0055] Although an embodiment of carrying out the present
disclosure has been described by way of an example, the applicable
embodiment is in no way limited to the example, and it is needless
to say the present disclosure can be carried out by various
embodiments without departing from the essence thereof.
[0056] The present disclosure is applicable to manufacturing
industries of control devices, and so forth.
* * * * *