阅读说明：本技术 物理量检测装置 (Physical quantity detecting device ) 是由 矶谷有毅 星加浩昭 余语孝之 于 2018-12-07 设计创作，主要内容包括：能够减少切换加热状态后的精度降低。物理量检测装置具备：流量检测部,其具有发热体,并测定被测量流体的流量；发热体控制部,其将发热体的控制状态切换为发热状态或发热抑制状态中的某一种状态；以及信号处理部,其处理流量检测部的测定值,当发热体控制部切换控制状态时,信号处理部在刚切换之后的规定期间内对根据切换前的流量检测部的测定值决定的推定值进行处理。(The decrease in accuracy after switching the heating state can be reduced. A physical quantity detection device is provided with: a flow rate detection unit which has a heating element and measures a flow rate of a fluid to be measured; a heating element control unit that switches a control state of the heating element to one of a heating state and a heating suppression state; and a signal processing unit that processes a measured value of the flow rate detecting unit, and when the heating element control unit switches the control state, processes an estimated value determined from the measured value of the flow rate detecting unit immediately after the switching for a predetermined period.)

1. A physical quantity detection device is characterized by comprising:

a flow rate detection unit having a heating element and measuring a flow rate of a fluid to be measured;

a heating element control unit that switches a control state of the heating element to one of a heating state and a heating suppression state; and

a signal processing unit for processing the measurement value of the flow rate detection unit,

when the heat-generating body control unit switches the control state, the signal processing unit processes an estimated value determined based on a measured value of the flow rate detection unit before the switching in a predetermined period immediately after the switching.

2. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 1,

the signal processing unit includes:

a buffer that temporarily records the estimated value for a predetermined period of time;

an average flow rate calculation block that calculates an average flow rate that is an average value of the estimation values with reference to the buffer;

an amplitude amount calculation block that calculates an amplitude amount of the amplitude as the estimation value with reference to the buffer;

an amplitude ratio calculation block that calculates an amplitude ratio using the calculation results of the average flow rate calculation block and the amplitude amount calculation block;

a frequency analysis block that performs frequency analysis of the estimated value and calculates a dominant frequency in the estimated value; and

and a pulsation error reduction filter that outputs an estimated value in which an influence of pulsation in the estimated value is reduced, using an output of the average flow rate calculation block, an output of the amplitude amount calculation block, an output of the amplitude ratio calculation block, and an output of the frequency analysis block.

3. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 2,

the signal processing unit further includes:

a second filter selection unit that outputs a moving average of the estimated value or a value obtained by applying a low-pass filter to the estimated value, based on a magnitude relationship between the output of the average flow rate calculation block and a predetermined first threshold; and

and a first filter selecting unit that outputs any one of the estimated value, the output of the ripple error reduction filter, and the output of the second filter selecting unit, based on a magnitude relationship between the output of the amplitude ratio calculating block and a predetermined second threshold value and a magnitude relationship between the output of the frequency analyzing block and a predetermined third threshold value.

4. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 2,

when the heat generating element control unit switches the control state, the signal processing unit deletes the estimated value recorded in the buffer, or limits the reference range of the buffer to the estimated value recorded after the control state is switched.

5. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 1,

the signal processing unit includes flow rate correspondence information indicating a correspondence between a heat generation state and a heat generation suppression state of the measurement value at a predetermined timing in a state where the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is the same,

the signal processing unit refers to the flow rate correspondence information, and determines the estimated value based on the control state before the control state is switched and the measured value before the control state is switched.

6. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 1,

the signal processing unit sets the measurement value as the estimated value after the predetermined period has elapsed.

7. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 1,

further comprises a signal receiving unit for receiving a signal for controlling the heating element from outside,

the heating element control unit changes the control of the heating element according to the signal.

8. The physical quantity detection device according to claim 1, comprising:

a buffer for temporarily recording measurement values in a past predetermined period;

an average flow rate calculation block that calculates an average flow rate that is an average of the flow rates with reference to the buffer;

an amplitude amount calculation block that calculates an amplitude amount that is an amplitude of a flow rate with reference to the buffer; and

a flow rate presence/absence determination unit that determines presence/absence of a flow rate of the fluid to be measured and outputs an operation command to the heating element control unit,

the heating element control part operates according to the operation command,

the flow rate presence/absence determination unit determines that the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is zero and controls the heat generating element control unit to the heat generation suppressing state when the average flow rate is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value and the amplitude amount is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold value, and determines that the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is not zero and controls the heat generating element control unit to the heat generating state when the average flow rate is greater than the predetermined first threshold value or when the amplitude amount is greater than the predetermined second threshold value.

9. The physical quantity detection device according to claim 1, comprising:

a signal receiving unit that receives a signal for controlling the heating element from outside;

a buffer for temporarily recording measurement values in a past predetermined period;

an average flow rate calculation block that calculates an average flow rate that is an average of the flow rates with reference to the buffer;

an amplitude amount calculation block that calculates an amplitude amount that is an amplitude of a flow rate with reference to the buffer; and

a flow rate presence/absence determination unit that determines presence/absence of a flow rate of the fluid to be measured and outputs an operation command to the heating element control unit,

the heating element control part operates according to the signal and the operation command,

the flow rate presence/absence determination unit determines that the fluid to be measured is zero and controls the heat generating element control unit to the heat generation suppressing state when the average flow rate is equal to or less than a predetermined first threshold value and the amplitude amount is equal to or less than a predetermined second threshold value, and determines that the fluid to be measured is not zero and controls the heat generating element control unit to the heat generating state when the average flow rate is greater than the predetermined first threshold value or when the amplitude amount is greater than the predetermined second threshold value.

10. The physical quantity detection apparatus according to claim 9,

the heating element control unit prioritizes the signal over the operation command.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a physical quantity detection device.

Background

There is known a physical quantity detecting device that measures a flow rate by heating a heating element. Patent document 1 discloses a flow rate measurement method for controlling a flow rate sensor including a heat source for intermittently heating or cooling a fluid flowing through a flow path and a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the fluid, and measuring two fluid flow rates having different physical parameters based on a fluid temperature measured by the temperature sensor, which is obtained when a predetermined measurement time has elapsed since the start of heating or cooling of the heat source, or a sensor output which is a value corresponding to the fluid temperature, the flow rate measurement method being characterized in that the two fluids have an intersection point where the sensor output obtained when one of the fluids flows through the flow path and the sensor output obtained when the other fluid flows through the flow path at the same flow rate as the one fluid are equal to each other after a predetermined intersection time has elapsed since the start of heating or cooling of the heat source, the measurement time is defined as the predetermined intersection time.

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

In the invention described in patent document 1, the measurement accuracy is lowered after the heating state is switched.

Means for solving the problems

A physical quantity detection device according to aspect 1 of the present invention includes: a flow rate detection unit including a heating element that measures a flow rate of a fluid to be measured; a heating element control unit that switches a control state of the heating element to one of a heating state and a heating suppression state; and a signal processing unit that processes a measurement value of the flow rate detecting unit, wherein when the heating element control unit switches the control state, the signal processing unit processes an estimated value determined based on the measurement value of the flow rate detecting unit before the switching in a predetermined period after the switching.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, the decrease in accuracy after switching the heating state can be reduced.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a physical quantity detection device 300.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the circuit substrate 400.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of ECU200 and physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the temperature rise side characteristic 835.

Fig. 5 is a diagram showing temperature drop-side characteristic 836.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an output characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601.

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the output characteristics of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing selection of the first filter selector 807 and the second filter selector 808.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an output of the flow rate signal selector 838.

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an output of the amplitude amount calculation block 804.

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an output of the flow rate detection circuit 601.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing time-series changes in the average flow rate and the amplitude amount.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of ECU200 and physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of ECU200 and physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation of the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of ECU200 and physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 4.

Detailed Description

First embodiment

Hereinafter, embodiment 1 of the physical quantity detection device will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 12. In the present embodiment, the physical quantity detection device takes intake air of the internal combustion engine as a measurement target, but the measurement target of the physical quantity detection device 300 is not limited to this.

(hardware constitution)

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a physical quantity sensing device 300, the physical quantity sensing device 300 includes a housing 302, a front cover 303, and a rear cover 304, the housing 302 is formed by molding a synthetic resin material, the housing 302 includes a flange 311 for fixing the physical quantity sensing device 300 to an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine through which intake air flows, an external connection portion 321 having a connector protruding from the flange 311 and electrically connected to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) 200, and a measurement portion 331 extending from the flange 311 toward the center of the intake pipe, and various communication means such as L IN (L local interconnection) which is one of vehicle-mounted networks can be used for communication between the physical quantity sensing device 300 and the ECU 200.

The measurement unit 331 is integrally provided with a circuit board 400 by insert molding when the case 302 is molded. The circuit board 400 includes a flow rate detection circuit 601 for measuring the flow rate of the measurement target gas and a temperature detection unit 451 for detecting the temperature of the measurement target gas. The flow rate detection circuit 601 includes a flow rate detection unit 602 and a processing unit 604. The flow rate detector 602 and the temperature detector 451 are disposed at positions exposed to the gas to be measured.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the circuit substrate 400. The circuit board 400 includes a board main body 401, a first protruding portion 403, and a second protruding portion 450. The microcomputer 415 is mounted on the board main body 401, the flow rate detection circuit 601 covered with the synthetic resin material 418 is mounted on the first protruding portion 403, and the temperature detection unit 451 is mounted on the second protruding portion 540. The microcomputer 415 is connected to the flow rate detection circuit 601 and the temperature detection unit 451 through signal lines not shown. The flow rate detection circuit 601 includes a heating element 608 described later, and measures the flow rate by the contact of the heating element 608 with the fluid to be measured in a heated state. A pressure sensor 421 and a humidity sensor 422 as sensor elements are provided on the back surface of the substrate main body 401.

(function constitution)

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of ECU200 and physical quantity detection device 300.

(ECU200)

ECU200 connected to physical quantity detection device 300 includes a heating element control external instruction unit 201 and a flow rate receiving unit 202. The heating element control external instruction unit 201 operates the heating element control external instruction unit 201 by a predetermined operation algorithm to instruct the control state of the heating element 608 included in the physical quantity detection device 300. Specifically, the heating element 608 is controlled to be in a heat generation state or a heat generation suppression state. However, physical quantity detection device 300 outputs the measured value to ECU200 regardless of the control state of heating element 608.

(physical quantity detecting device 300)

The physical quantity detection device 300 includes a flow rate detection circuit 601 and a microcomputer 415 that processes an output value of the flow rate detection circuit 601. The functional configurations of the flow rate detection circuit 601 and the microcomputer 415 will be described below. Each function provided in the flow rate detection circuit 601 is realized by hardware or software as described later. Each function of the microcomputer 415 is realized by a hardware circuit. However, the functions of the microcomputer 415 may be realized by software processing.

(flow rate detecting circuit 601)

The flow rate detection circuit 601 includes a processing unit 604 and a flow rate detection unit 602. The processing unit 604 includes a heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833, a heating control bridge 640, and a CPU612 as a central processing unit. The flow rate detector 602 includes a heating element 608 and a flow rate detection bridge 650. The flow rate detection circuit 601 controls the heating element 608 in accordance with an instruction from a heating element control internal instruction unit 832, which will be described later, provided in the microcomputer 415, and outputs the measured values to the temperature increase-side characteristic 835, the temperature decrease-side characteristic 836, and the flow rate signal selection unit 838. However, the measurement value is output regardless of the instruction content of the heating element control internal instruction unit 832.

The heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833 of the processing unit 604 is hardware that communicates with the heating element control processing unit 830. The heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833 controls the heating element 608 in accordance with the instruction of the heating element control internal instruction unit 832 by the heating element control bridge 640. Specifically, the heating element control internal instruction unit 832 instructs switching between the heating state and the heating suppression state in the control state. When the heating target gas control internal instruction unit 832 instructs to switch to the heating state, the heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833 causes the heating control bridge 640 to control the amount of heat generated by the heating element 608 so that the temperature of the gas to be measured is increased by a predetermined temperature higher than the initial temperature, for example, by 100 ℃. This control is referred to as "heat generation state" control.

When the heat-generation-target-element-control internal instruction unit 832 instructs to switch to the heat generation suppression state, the heat-generation-element-control internal instruction receiving unit 833 performs control not to cause the heat generation control bridge 640 to generate heat for the heat generating element 608. This control is referred to as "heat generation suppressed state" control. Further, the heating element control internal instruction receiving section 833 controls the supply of electric power to the heating element 608 in accordance with the instruction of the heating element control internal instruction section 832. Specifically, the heating element control internal command receiving portion 833 supplies electric power to the heating element 608 when the heat generation state is instructed, and the heating element control internal command receiving portion 833 cuts off the supply of electric power to the heating element 608 when the heat generation suppression state is instructed.

The heat generation control bridge 640 of the processing unit 604 is a bridge circuit including 4 temperature measuring resistors. The heat generation control bridge 640 changes the resistance value by heating the gas to be measured by the heating element 608. When the heat generation state is instructed, the CPU612 monitors the resistance value of the heat generation control bridge 640, and controls the amount of heat generation of the heat generator 608 so that the temperature of the gas to be measured is increased by a predetermined temperature higher than the initial temperature, for example, by 100 ℃. When the heat generation suppressing state is instructed, the CPU612 controls the amount of heat generation of the heat generating element 608 so that the heat generating element 608 does not generate heat. The CPU612 realizes the above functions by loading a program stored in a ROM (not shown) into a RAM () not shown and executing the program. However, the CPU612 may not perform any control when the heat generation suppressed state is instructed.

The flow rate detection bridge 650 of the flow rate detection unit 602 is a bridge circuit including 4 temperature-measuring resistors. The 4 temperature measuring resistors are arranged along the flow of the gas to be measured. Specifically, two temperature measuring resistors are disposed on the upstream side of the heating element 608 in the flow path of the gas to be measured, and the other two temperature measuring resistors are disposed on the downstream side of the heating element 608 in the flow path of the gas to be measured. Therefore, the temperature measuring resistor disposed on the upstream side of the heating element 608 is cooled by the flow of the gas to be measured, and the temperature measuring resistor disposed on the downstream side of the heating element 608 is heated by the gas to be measured heated by the heating element 608. The flow rate detection bridge 650 outputs the difference in temperature between these temperature measuring resistors as a potential difference.

(Microcomputer 415)

The microcomputer 415 includes a heat-generating-element control processing unit 830, a heat-generating-element-control switching characteristic 834, a heat-generating-element-control switching control processing unit 837, a flow-rate-signal selecting unit 838, a first flow-rate-characteristic adjusting block 800, a first flow-rate buffer 801, a second flow-rate buffer 802, an average-flow-rate calculating block 803, an amplitude-amount calculating block 804, an amplitude-ratio calculating block 805, a frequency analyzing block 806, a second flow-rate-characteristic adjusting block 809, and a flow-rate correcting filter 810.

(Microcomputer | heating element control processing part 830)

Heating element control processing unit 830 includes heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831 and heating element control internal instruction unit 832, and heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831 receives an instruction from heating element control external instruction unit 201 included in ECU 200. The heating element control internal instruction unit 832 instructs the heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833 to change the control state of the heating element 608 in accordance with the instruction of the heating element control external instruction unit 201 transmitted via the heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831.

(Microcomputer | heating element control post-switching characteristic 834)

The after-heating-element-control-switching characteristic 834 includes a temperature-rise-side characteristic 835 and a temperature-fall-side characteristic 836. When the heat generation element control switching control processing unit 837 detects a change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state or from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state, the post-heat generation element control switching characteristic 834 performs processing. When a change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state is detected, the post-heat-generation-control-switching characteristic 834 refers to the temperature-rise-side characteristic 835, and outputs a detection flow rate when the heat generation state is stable, based on the detection flow rate in the heat generation suppressed state. When a change from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state is detected, the post-heat-generation-element-control-switching characteristic 834 refers to the temperature-drop-side characteristic 836, and outputs a detection flow rate when the heat generation suppressed state is stable, based on the detection flow rate in the heat generation state. The "at the time of stabilization" described above may be said to be "after setting". For "tuning" it will be described below.

Fig. 4 is a diagram showing temperature-rise-side characteristic 835, and fig. 5 is a diagram showing temperature-fall-side characteristic 836. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, both the temperature-increase-side characteristic 835 and the temperature-decrease-side characteristic 836 are information indicating the correspondence between the detected flow rate before switching the control state and the detected flow rate after setting. In fig. 4 and 5, the correspondence is represented in a table format, but the expression method is not limited to this, and for example, the correspondence may be represented by an approximate expression representing the relationship between the two. In fig. 4 and 5, the temperature before switching is described in 10 degrees as a scale, but may be recorded in a finer temperature scale, or may be supplemented by proportional interpolation or the like.

(Microcomputer | heating element control switching control processing part 837)

The heating element control switching control processing unit 837 monitors the instruction of the heating element control internal instruction unit 832, and detects a change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state and a change from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state. Next, the heat generation element control switching control processing unit 837 determines which of the following 1 st to 3 rd states is currently in. Then, the heat generation element control switching control processing unit 837 transmits the determined state to the heat generation element control switched characteristic 834, the flow rate signal selection unit 838, and the first flow rate buffer 801.

The 1 st state is a state within a predetermined period Tres immediately after the change from the fever suppression state to the fever state is detected. The 2 nd state is a state within a predetermined period Tres immediately after the change from the fever state to the fever suppressed state is detected. The 3 rd state is another state, in other words, a state in which a predetermined period Tres or more has elapsed after the detection of the change from the fever suppression state to the fever state, and a state in which a predetermined period Tres or more has elapsed after the detection of the change from the fever state to the fever suppression state. The predetermined period Tres is a period obtained from the temperature response of the heating element 608 and the flow rate detection bridge 650, and is calculated by experiments performed in advance, and this information is stored in the microcomputer 415.

(Microcomputer | flow rate signal selecting section 838)

The flow rate signal selector 838 selects and outputs any one of the three signals in accordance with the judgment of the heat-generating body control switching control processor 837. In the 1 st state, that is, in a predetermined period Tres immediately after the instruction to change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state, the flow rate signal selection unit 838 selects the flow rate value obtained from the temperature increase side characteristic 835. In the 2 nd state, that is, in the predetermined period Tres immediately after the instruction to change from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state, the flow rate signal selection unit 838 selects the flow rate value obtained from the temperature decrease side characteristic 836. In the 3 rd state, the flow rate signal selector 838 selects the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601, which is the detected flow rate. Hereinafter, the output of the flow rate signal selector 838 is also referred to as an "estimated value".

(Microcomputer | first flow characteristic adjustment Block 800)

The first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 gives a desired characteristic to the flow rate signal selected by the flow rate signal selection unit 838. The first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 outputs flow rate values to which characteristics are given to the first flow rate buffer 801, the second flow rate buffer 802, the first filter selection unit 807, the moving average filter 811, the low pass filter 812, and the pulsation error reduction filter 813.

Fig. 6 and 7 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the output characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601, and fig. 7 is a diagram showing the output characteristic of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800. As shown in fig. 6, the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601 tends to increase monotonously with respect to the increase in the actual flow rate, but the amplitude of increase in the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is not always constant with respect to the magnitude of increase in the actual flow rate, which may hinder the processing in the microcomputer 415. Therefore, the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 gives a desired characteristic to the flow rate signal selected by the flow rate signal selection unit 838 so as to have the characteristic shown in fig. 7.

(Microcomputer | first flow buffer 801)

The first flow rate buffer 801 temporarily stores the output value of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800. The first flow rate buffer 801 holds the flow rate value converted by the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 at least the pulsation cycle amount of the flow rate from the latest output. The pulsation period of the flow rate is obtained by the calculation of the frequency analysis block 806, which will be described later. When the heat generation element control switching control processing unit 837 detects a change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state or from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state, the first flow rate buffer 801 discards the held content and resumes accumulation.

(Microcomputer | second flow buffer 802)

The second flow rate buffer 802 temporarily stores the output values of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 in an amount at least equal to that of the first flow rate buffer 801. In the case where the number of stored output values exceeds a predetermined number, the second traffic buffer 802 deletes the old output value.

(Microcomputer | average flow rate calculation Block 803)

The average flow rate calculation block 803 calculates an average value of the output values of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 with reference to the first flow rate buffer 801. Average flow rate calculation block 803 outputs the calculation result to amplitude ratio calculation block 805, second filter selection unit 808, and pulsation error reduction filter 813.

(Microcomputer | amplitude amount calculating Block 804)

The amplitude amount calculation block 804 calculates a difference between the maximum value of the flow rate values stored in the first flow rate buffer 801 and the minimum value of the flow rate values stored in the first flow rate buffer 801 as an amplitude amount. Amplitude amount calculation block 804 outputs the calculation result to amplitude ratio calculation block 805.

(Microcomputer | amplitude ratio calculating block 805)

Amplitude ratio calculation block 805 calculates an amplitude ratio by dividing the amplitude amount calculated by amplitude amount calculation block 804 by the flow rate average value calculated by average flow rate calculation block 803. Amplitude ratio calculation block 805 outputs the calculation result to first filter selection section 807 and ripple error reduction filter 813.

(Microcomputer | frequency analysis block 806)

The frequency analysis block 806 obtains a frequency spectrum for each analysis frequency by performing a discrete fourier transform on the flow values stored in the second flow buffer 802. The analysis frequency is determined based on the characteristics of the fluid to be measured, which is the object of measurement of the known physical quantity detection apparatus 300. For example, when the fluid to be measured is the exhaust gas of the engine, the measurement frequency is calculated from the number of cylinders of the engine and the range of the engine rotation speed. In addition, with reference to the obtained power spectral density of each analysis frequency, the dominant frequency, i.e., the frequency having the largest power spectral density, is taken as the pulsation frequency of the measured gas. The inverse of the pulsation frequency is a pulsation period that determines the number of flow rate values temporarily recorded in the first flow rate buffer 801. The frequency analysis block 806 outputs the ripple frequency to the first filter selection section 807.

(Microcomputer | second flow characteristic adjustment block 809)

The second flow rate characteristic adjustment block 809 gives a desired characteristic to the output value after the flow rate correction filtering, in order to facilitate the calculation using the output of the physical quantity detection device 300 in the subsequent process. That is, the calculation of the second flow rate characteristic adjustment block 809 is given a characteristic in accordance with the ECU200 that executes the post-processing.

(Microcomputer | flow correction filter 810)

The flow rate correction filter 810 includes a moving average filter 811, a low-pass filter 812, a first filter selector 807, a second filter selector 808, and a ripple error reduction filter 813. The moving average filter 811 calculates a moving average by a predetermined number of samples with the output of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 as a processing target, and outputs the result to the second filter selection unit 808. The low-pass filter 812 applies a predetermined low-pass filter to the output of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 as a processing target, and outputs the result to the second filter selection unit 808.

First filter selector 807 compares amplitude ratio calculated by amplitude ratio calculation block 805 with amplitude ratio threshold 807a, and comparison of the motionless frequency calculated by frequency analysis block 806 with frequency threshold 807 b. Based on these comparisons, the first filter selector 807 outputs any one of the outputs of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800, the second filter selector 808, and the ripple error reduction filter 813 to the second flow rate characteristic adjustment block 809. For the sake of clarity, the first filter selecting section 807 may also output the output of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 directly to the second flow rate characteristic adjustment block 809 without passing through any filter.

When the amplitude ratio calculated by amplitude ratio calculation block 805 is greater than amplitude ratio threshold 807a and the ripple frequency calculated by frequency analysis block 806 is greater than frequency threshold 807b, first filter selection unit 807 selects the output of ripple error reduction filter 813. When the amplitude ratio calculated by amplitude ratio calculation block 805 is equal to or less than amplitude ratio threshold 807a and the flow rate average value calculated by average flow rate calculation block 803 is equal to or less than frequency threshold 807b, first filter selection unit 807 selects the output of second filter selection unit 808. When the amplitude ratio calculated by amplitude ratio calculation block 805 is greater than amplitude ratio threshold 807a, the pulsation frequency calculated by frequency analysis block 806 is equal to or less than frequency threshold 807b, and when the amplitude ratio calculated by amplitude ratio calculation block 805 is equal to or less than amplitude ratio threshold 807a, and the flow rate average value calculated by average flow rate calculation block 803 is greater than frequency threshold 807b, first filter selection unit 807 does not perform the filtering process. That is, in this case, the output of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 is directly output to the second flow rate characteristic adjustment block 809.

The second filter selector 808 compares the average flow rate calculated by the average flow rate calculation block 803 with the flow rate threshold 808 a. When the flow rate average value calculated by the average flow rate calculation block 803 is larger than the flow rate threshold value 808a, the second filter selection unit 808 outputs the output of the low-pass filter 812 to the first filter selection unit 807. When the flow rate average value calculated by the average flow rate calculation block 803 is equal to or less than the flow rate threshold value 808a, the second filter selection unit 808 outputs the output of the moving average filter 811 to the first filter selection unit 807.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing selection of the first filter selector 807 and the second filter selector 808. In fig. 8, the area is divided into four large blocks, and the area at the lower left is further divided into two blocks. The first filter selecting section 807 decides which block of the four large block regions is selected, and the second filter selecting section 808 decides which block of the two block regions is selected in the lower left region. In this way, the two filter selection units evaluate the magnitude relation between the amplitude ratio calculated by amplitude ratio calculation block 805 and amplitude ratio threshold 807a, the magnitude relation between the pulsation frequency calculated by frequency analysis block 806 and frequency threshold 807b, and the magnitude relation between the flow rate average value calculated by average flow rate calculation block 803 and flow rate threshold 808 a.

(ripple error reduction filter 813)

Pulsation error reduction filter 813 calculates a measurement value in which the influence of pulsation is reduced from the output of first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800 using the outputs of average flow rate calculation block 803, amplitude ratio calculation block 805, and frequency analysis block 806, and outputs the measurement value to first filter selection unit 807. Specifically, the pulsation error reduction filter 813 outputs a result of adding the frequency characteristic correction flow rate and the flow rate-dependent correction flow rate described below to the output of the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800.

The frequency characteristic correction flow rate is a product of the frequency characteristic gain and the output of the average flow rate calculation block 803. The frequency characteristic gain is determined based on the output of amplitude ratio calculation block 805 and the output of frequency analysis block 806 by referring to a predetermined first table. The first table shows, for example, the output of amplitude ratio calculation block 805 on the horizontal axis and the output of frequency analysis block 806 on the vertical axis. An arbitrary interpolation operation such as a proportional interpolation is performed as necessary.

The flow rate-dependent correction flow rate is a product of the amount of increase and decrease in the flow rate-dependent correction gain and the frequency characteristic correction flow rate. The flow rate-dependent correction gain is determined by referring to a predetermined second table and correcting the output of the flow rate and amplitude ratio calculation block 805 according to the frequency characteristics. The second table shows, for example, the frequency characteristic correction flow rate on the horizontal axis and the output of amplitude ratio calculation block 805 on the vertical axis. An arbitrary interpolation operation such as a proportional interpolation is performed as necessary. The "amount of increase or decrease" of the flow rate-dependent correction gain is a difference from 1, and for example, when the flow rate-dependent correction gain is "1.5", the amount of increase or decrease of the flow rate-dependent correction gain is "0.5".

(example of operation)

The physical quantity detection device 300 detects the intake air amount of the internal combustion engine, but in a vehicle or a hybrid vehicle equipped with an idling stop function, the internal combustion engine may be stopped and there may be a period during which there is no intake air. When the operation of the internal combustion engine is stopped, the flow rate detection bridge 650 may be contaminated by the unburned gas reaching the physical quantity detection device 300 from the internal combustion engine side. In a hybrid vehicle or the like, it is considered to suppress heat generation of the heating element 608 in order to prevent waste of power consumption associated with heat generation of the heating element 608 in a state where air intake is apparently absent. When the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is used as it is, there may be a problem when the operation of the internal combustion engine is restarted, and the like, but this problem is solved in the physical quantity detection device 300.

Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an operation example of the physical quantity detection device 300, and specifically, a diagram showing an output of the flow rate signal selector 838 of the physical quantity detection device 300. However, in order to explain the effects of the physical quantity detection device 300, the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is also described. In fig. 9, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the output of the flow rate signal selector 838. In fig. 9, time t12 represents the time at which the heat generation state is switched to the heat generation suppressed state. In fig. 9 (a) and 9 (b), the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured is always zero in the range shown in the graph, and in fig. 9 (c) and 9 (d), the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured is a constant value in the range shown in the graph.

Fig. 9 (a) and 9 (c) show the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601, and fig. 9 (b) and 9 (d) show the output of the flow rate signal selector 838. That is, the signal shown in fig. 9 (a) is input from the flow rate detection circuit 601 to the microcomputer 415, and the signal shown in fig. 9 (b) is output through the processes of the post-heating element control switching characteristic 834, the heating element control switching control processing unit 837, and the flow rate signal selection unit 838. The same applies to the relationship between fig. 9 (c) and fig. 9 (d).

As shown in fig. 9 (a), when the control state of the heating element 608 is switched from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state in the state where the actual flow rate of the fluid to be measured is zero, the flow rate measurement value greatly increases at time t12 of the switching, and then gradually decreases to be set to a stable value. The period from time t12 to the setting of the flow rate measurement value is Tres, and this period indicates the temperature response of heating element 608 and flow rate detection bridge 650. The setting is, for example, a range of plus or minus 2% of a steady value. As shown in fig. 9 (b), the output of the flow rate signal selector 838 is switched at the time t12, and there is no transient change in the output as shown in fig. 9 (a). This is because the flow rate signal selector 838 uses the output of the post-heating element control switching characteristic 834 during the time Tres from time t12, and the post-heating element control switching characteristic 834 determines the output based on the value immediately before time t 12.

As shown in fig. 9 (c) and 9 (d), the same effect can be confirmed even when the flow rate of the fluid to be measured has a certain constant value. That is, the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601 gradually increases from time t12 as shown in fig. 9 (c), but the output of the flow rate signal selector 838 instantaneously switches at time t12 as shown in fig. 9 (d).

Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the amplitude amount, i.e., the output of the amplitude amount calculation block 804 in the same situation as fig. 9. However, for comparison, the output of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is also shown. Fig. 10 (a) and 10 (c) are the same as fig. 9 (a) and 9 (c). Fig. 10 (b) is a diagram showing the output of the amplitude amount calculation block 804 in the same time series as fig. 10 (a). Fig. 10 (d) is a diagram showing the output of the amplitude amount calculation block 804 in the same time series as fig. 10 (c). Fig. 23(b) and 23(d) are always zero, and it can be seen that the value corresponding to the actual state is calculated.

Comparative example

Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an output of the flow rate detection circuit 601. In fig. 11, the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents a flow rate measurement value that is an output of the flow rate detection circuit 601. In fig. 11, a time t12 indicates a time when the heat generation state is switched to the heat generation suppressed state, and a time t21 indicates a time when the heat generation suppressed state is switched to the heat generation state. Note that, in fig. 11 (a) and 11 (b), the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is always zero in the range shown in the graph, and in fig. 11 (c) and 11 (d), the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is a constant value in the range shown in the graph.

As shown in fig. 11 (a), when the heating element 608 is switched from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state in the state where the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is zero, the flow rate measurement value greatly increases at time t12 of the switching, and then the flow rate measurement value is gradually set to a stable value. The period from time t12 until the flow rate measurement value becomes stable is Tres, and this period represents the temperature response between heating element 608 and flow rate detection bridge 650. The setting is, for example, a range of plus or minus 2% of a steady value. Fig. 11 (b) to 11 (d) all show the transition state in the same manner as fig. 17 (a). Note that, in fig. 11 (a) to 11 (d), the time Tres until the setting does not necessarily match, but in this case, the longest time is Tres.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing time-series changes in the average flow rate and the amplitude amount. However, for comparison, the measured flow rate is also described. Fig. 12 (a) to 12 (c) are diagrams each showing a flow rate measurement value, an average flow rate, and an amplitude amount when the heating element 608 is switched from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state in a state where the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is zero. Fig. 12 (d) to 12 (f) are diagrams each showing a flow rate measurement value, an average flow rate, and an amplitude amount when the heating element 608 is switched from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state in a state where the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is a constant value. That is, fig. 12 (a) is the same as fig. 11 (a), and fig. 12 (d) is the same as fig. 11 (c).

Fig. 12 (b) and 12 (e) can also be said to be the results of processing the flow rate measurement values by the average flow rate calculation block 803. Fig. 12 (c) and 12 (f) can also be said to be the results of processing the flow rate measurement value by the amplitude amount calculation block 804. As shown in fig. 12, if the flow rate measurement value itself is evaluated, it is found that the average flow rate and the amplitude are also calculated as values deviating from the actual state in the transient state.

According to embodiment 1 described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

(1) The physical quantity detection device 300 includes: a flow rate detector 602 that includes a heating element 608 and measures the flow rate of the fluid to be measured; a heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833 for switching the control state of the heating element 608 to a heating state and a heating suppression state; a heat generation control bridge 640; a CPU 612; and a microcomputer 415 that processes the measurement value of the flow rate detection unit 602. When the control state of the heating element 608 is switched, the flow rate signal selector 838 of the microcomputer 415 outputs an estimated value determined based on the measurement value of the flow rate detector 602 immediately after the switching for a predetermined period. As shown in fig. 9 (b) and 9 (d), the flow rate signal selection unit 838 outputs the output of the heat-generating-element-control-switched characteristic 834, instead of the output of the flow rate detection unit 602 itself as a measurement value, in accordance with the switching of the control state of the heat generating element 608, and therefore, it is possible to reduce the decrease in measurement accuracy after the control state of the heat generating element 608, that is, the overheated state of the heat generating element 608 is switched.

(2) The microcomputer 415 includes: a first flow rate buffer 801 that temporarily records an estimated value in a past predetermined period; an average flow rate calculation block 803 that calculates an average flow rate that is an average value of the estimated values with reference to the first flow rate buffer 801; an amplitude amount calculation block 804 that calculates an amplitude amount that is an amplitude of the estimated value with reference to the first flow rate buffer 801; and an amplitude ratio calculation block 805 which calculates an amplitude ratio using the calculation results of the average flow rate calculation block 803 and the amplitude amount calculation block 804. The microcomputer 415 further includes: a frequency analysis block 806 that performs frequency analysis of the estimation value, and calculates a dominant frequency in the estimation value; and a pulsation error reduction filter 813 that outputs an estimated value in which the influence of pulsation in the estimated value is reduced, using the output of the average flow rate calculation block 803, the output of the amplitude amount calculation block 804, the output of the amplitude ratio calculation block 805, and the output of the frequency analysis block 806. Therefore, by using the ripple error reduction filter 813, the influence of the ripple included in the measurement value can be reduced.

(3) The microcomputer 415 has: a second filter selection unit 808 that outputs a moving average of the estimated values or a value obtained by applying a low-pass filter to the estimated values, based on the magnitude relationship between the output of the average flow rate calculation block 803 and the flow rate threshold 808 a; and a first filter selecting unit 807 that outputs any one of the estimated value, the output of the ripple error reduction filter 813, and the output of the second filter selecting unit 808, based on the magnitude relationship between the output of the amplitude ratio calculating block 805 and the amplitude ratio threshold 807a, and the magnitude relationship between the output of the frequency analyzing block 806 and the frequency threshold 807 b.

Therefore, the response delay can be corrected in a high-frequency state in which the pulsation error due to the response characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is likely to become large, and in a state in which the signal output from the processing unit 604 dynamically changes. In addition, in a low-frequency state where the pulsation error due to the response characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is small and in a state where the signal itself output from the processing section 604 is small, a relatively large noise component can be suppressed in accordance with the magnitude of the signal itself. In addition, in a state where the change of the signal output from the processing unit 604 is small although the pulsation error due to the response characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is in a high frequency state where the pulsation error is liable to be large, and in a state where the change of the signal output from the processing unit 604 is large although the pulsation error due to the response characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601 is in a low frequency state, the response can be made by the response characteristic of the flow rate detection circuit 601, and therefore, the filtering process can be not applied.

(4) When the control state of the heating element 608 is switched, the microcomputer 415 deletes the estimated value recorded in the first flow rate buffer 801. Therefore, as shown in fig. 10 (b) and 10 (d), the amplitude amount corresponding to the actual state can be calculated. If the estimated value recorded in the first flow rate buffer 801 is not deleted even if the control state of the heating element 608 is switched, the following problem arises. That is, if the measurement value before switching the control state remains in the first flow rate buffer 801, the measurement value is regarded as a fluctuation even though the actual flow rate does not change, and the amplitude amount is no longer zero.

(5) The characteristic 834 after the switching of the heating element control by the microcomputer 415 includes a temperature rise side characteristic 835 and a temperature fall side characteristic 836, and the temperature rise side characteristic 835 and the temperature fall side characteristic 836 indicate correspondence between a heating state and a heating suppressed state of a measured value at a predetermined timing in a state where the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is the same. The microcomputer 415 refers to the temperature-increasing-side characteristic 835 and the temperature-decreasing-side characteristic 836, and determines an estimated value from the control state before switching of the control state and the measured value before switching of the control state. Therefore, even when the control state of the heating element 608 is switched, the estimated value output by the flow rate signal selector 838 can be made to match the actual flow rate when the actual flow rate does not change before and after the control state of the heating element 608 is switched.

(6) The flow rate signal selector 838 of the microcomputer 415 sets the measured value as the estimated value after a predetermined period of time has elapsed from the switching of the control state of the heating element 608. Therefore, after the period Tres elapses from the switching of the control state, the change in the actual flow rate can be reflected in the output of the flow rate signal selector 838.

(7) The microcomputer 415 includes a heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831 that receives a signal for controlling the heating element 608 from the outside. The heating element control internal instruction unit 832 changes the control state of the heating element 608 in accordance with the operation command of the heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831. Therefore, appropriate power can be saved in accordance with the operation command of the device using the output of the physical quantity detection device 300. For example, when the ECU200 using the output of the physical quantity detection device 300 does not refer to the output of the physical quantity detection device 300 for a certain period, the heat generation suppression state is instructed to the physical quantity detection device 300, so that unnecessary heating of the heating element 608 can be avoided.

(modification 1)

In the first embodiment, the microcomputer 415 includes the second filter selection unit 808, and the second filter selection unit 808 is configured to select one of the moving average filter 811 and the low-pass filter 812. However, the microcomputer 415 may include only one of the moving average filter 811 and the low-pass filter 812. In this case, the second filter selector 808 may not be provided.

(modification 2)

In the above-described embodiment 1, the physical quantity detection device 300 measures the flow rate, the temperature, the pressure, and the humidity. However, the physical quantity detection device 300 may measure at least the flow rate, and may not measure at least 1 of the other 4 physical quantities.

Second embodiment

Embodiment 2 of the physical quantity detection device will be described with reference to fig. 13. In the following description, the same components as those in embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the differences will be mainly described. Points not specifically described are the same as those in embodiment 1. The present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 mainly in that information stored in the first flow rate buffer is not deleted based on the output of the heating element control internal instruction unit 832.

Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 2. The hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the physical quantity detection device 300 in the present embodiment are the same as those in embodiment 1, and the operations of the first flow rate buffer 801, the average flow rate calculation block 803, and the amplitude amount calculation block 804 are different from those in embodiment 1. Further, the present embodiment is also different from embodiment 1 in that one of the output destinations of the signal from the heating element control internal instruction unit 832 is changed from the first flow rate buffer 801 to the average flow rate calculation block 803.

The first flow rate buffer 801 in the present embodiment does not receive a signal from the heating element control internal instruction unit 832, and does not delete information stored in the first flow rate buffer based on the output of the heating element control internal instruction unit 832 as in embodiment 1. That is, the first flow rate buffer 801 according to the present embodiment deletes the oldest output value only when there is a new output from the first flow rate characteristic adjustment block 800, and does not delete it otherwise.

The average flow rate calculation block 803 calculates an average value of flow rate values stored in the first flow rate buffer 801 in principle. However, when the heat generation element control switching control processing unit 837 detects a change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state or from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state, the average flow rate calculation block 803 calculates the average value using only the region in which the flow rate value after the change is detected as the reference range.

As in embodiment 1, the amplitude amount calculation block 804 calculates the difference between the maximum value of the flow rate value stored in the first flow rate buffer 801 and the minimum value of the flow rate value stored in the first flow rate buffer 801 as the amplitude amount. However, when the heat generation element control switching control processing unit 837 detects a change from the heat generation suppressed state to the heat generation state or from the heat generation state to the heat generation suppressed state, the amplitude amount calculation block 804 calculates the amplitude amount with only the region in which the flow rate value after the change is detected held as the reference range.

According to embodiment 2 described above, the same operational effects as those of embodiment 1 can be obtained.

Embodiment 3

Embodiment 3 of the physical quantity detection device will be described with reference to fig. 14 to 15. In the following description, the same components as those in embodiment 1 and embodiment 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different points are mainly described. Points not specifically described are the same as those in embodiment 2. The present embodiment is different from embodiment 1 mainly in that the heat-generating body control processing unit 830 of the physical quantity detecting device 300 does not include the heat-generating body control external instruction receiving unit 831. Note that the operations of the first flow rate buffer 801 and the average flow rate calculation block 803 may be the same as those in embodiment 1.

Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 3. The hardware configuration of the physical quantity detection device 300 in the present embodiment is the same as that in embodiment 2. The functional configuration of the physical quantity detection device 300 in the present embodiment is different from that in embodiment 2, the heat-generating element control external instruction receiving unit 831 is deleted, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 is added, and the operation of the heat-generating element control internal instruction unit 832 is different.

The flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines whether or not the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection unit 602 is a value indicating zero, in other words, whether or not the actual flow rate is zero, using the calculation value of the average flow rate calculation block 803 and the calculation value of the amplitude amount calculation block 804. Then, when it is determined that the actual flow rate is not zero, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 instructs control of the heat generation state, and when it is determined that the actual flow rate is zero, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 instructs control of the heat generation suppression state. The flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines the presence/absence of the actual flow rate from the calculation value of the average flow rate calculation block 803 and the calculation value of the amplitude amount calculation block 804 as described below.

Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation of the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839. The flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 compares the calculated value of the average flow rate calculation block 803 with the average flow rate threshold value 845a, and compares the calculated value of the amplitude amount calculation block 804 with the amplitude amount threshold value 845 b. Then, when determining that both are lower than the threshold value, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines that the actual flow rate is zero and instructs control of the heat generation suppression state, and when otherwise, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines that the actual flow rate is not zero and instructs control of the heat generation state. However, the presence or absence of the actual flow rate determined by the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 does not mean strict zero, but means "relatively small".

Specifically, when the average flow rate calculated by the average flow rate calculation block 803 is larger than the average flow rate threshold 845a, or when the calculated value by the amplitude amount calculation block 804 is larger than the amplitude amount threshold 845b, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines that the actual flow rate is not zero, and instructs the heat generation control internal instruction unit 832 to control the heat generation state. When the average flow rate calculated by the average flow rate calculation block 803 is equal to or less than the average flow rate threshold 845a and the calculated value by the amplitude amount calculation block 804 is equal to or less than the amplitude amount threshold 845b, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines that the actual flow rate is zero, and instructs the heat generation control internal instruction unit 832 to control the heat generation suppression state.

According to embodiment 3 described above, the following operational effects can be obtained.

(1) The physical quantity detection device 300 includes: a first traffic buffer 801; an average flow calculation block 803; an amplitude amount calculation block 804; and a flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 that determines presence/absence of the flow rate of the fluid to be measured and outputs an operation command to the heat generation control bridge 640 and the CPU612 via the heat generation element control internal instruction unit 832. The heat generation control bridge 640 and the CPU612 operate in response to an operation command from the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 389. When the average flow rate is equal to or less than the average flow rate threshold 845a and the amplitude is equal to or less than the amplitude threshold 845b, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines that the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is zero and controls the fluid to be in the heat generation suppression state. When the average flow rate is larger than the average flow rate threshold value 845a or the amplitude is larger than the amplitude threshold value 845b, the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 determines that the flow rate of the fluid to be measured is not zero and controls the fluid to be in the heat generation state. Therefore, the physical quantity detection device 300 controls the heating element 608 without receiving an operation instruction from the external ECU200, and therefore, control in accordance with the actual environment can be performed, and the resistance to contamination of the flow rate detection bridge 650 can be further improved, and further power saving can be achieved.

4 th embodiment

Embodiment 4 of the physical quantity detection device will be described with reference to fig. 16. In the following description, the same components as those in embodiments 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and different points are mainly described. Points not specifically described are the same as those in embodiment 1. This embodiment is different from embodiment 3 mainly in that a heat-generating body control external instruction receiving unit 831 is also provided.

Fig. 16 is a diagram showing the structure of a physical quantity detection device 300 according to embodiment 4. The hardware configuration of the physical quantity detection device 300 in the present embodiment is the same as that in embodiment 3. The functional configuration of the physical quantity detection device 300 in the present embodiment is different from that in embodiment 3, and is different from that in embodiment 3 in that a heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831 is added and the operation of a heating element control internal instruction unit 832 is different.

The operation of the heat-generating element control external instruction receiving portion 831 is the same as that of embodiment 1. The heating element control internal instruction unit 832 instructs the heating element control internal instruction receiving unit 833 to change the control state of the heating element 608 in accordance with the instruction of the heating element control external instruction unit 201 and the instruction of the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839 transmitted via the heating element control external instruction receiving unit 831. When the instruction of the heating element control external instruction unit 201 is different from the instruction of the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839, the heating element control internal instruction unit 832 gives priority to the instruction of the heating element control external instruction unit 201.

According to embodiment 4 described above, the ECU can be connected to an ECU not only including the heating element control external instruction unit 201 but also not including the heating element control external instruction unit 201. Further, when the connected ECU includes the heating element control external instruction unit 201, the instruction of the ECU is prioritized for the operation of the heating element 608, and therefore power saving can be achieved in accordance with the operation of the ECU.

(modification of embodiment 4)

In the above-described embodiment 4, when the instruction of the heating element control external instruction unit 201 is different from the instruction of the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839, the heating element control internal instruction unit 832 gives priority to the instruction of the heating element control external instruction unit 201. However, when the instruction of the heat-generating-element-control external instruction unit 201 is different from the instruction of the flow-rate-presence/absence determination unit 839, the heat-generating-element-control internal instruction unit 832 may give priority to the instruction of the flow-rate-presence/absence determination unit 839. According to the present modification, the heat generation suppressed state is shifted to by the determination of the flow rate presence/absence determination unit 839, so that the power consumption of the physical quantity detection apparatus 300 can be suppressed.

The above embodiments and modifications may be combined. While the various embodiments and modifications have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these. Other modes that can be considered within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention are also included in the scope of the present invention.

Description of the symbols

200 … electronic control device

300 … physical quantity detecting device

415 … micro-computer

601 … flow detection circuit

602 … flow rate detecting part

604 … processing unit

608 … heating element

612…CPU

640 … heating control bridge

650 … flow detection bridge

800 … first flow characteristic adjustment block

801 … first flow buffer

803 … mean flow calculation block

804 … amplitude quantity calculation block

805 … amplitude ratio calculation block

806 … frequency analysis block

807 … first filter selection part

808 … second filter selection unit

809 … second flow characteristic adjustment block

810 … flow correction filter

811 … moving average filter

812 … low pass filter

813 … ripple error reduction filter

830 … heating element control processing unit

831 … heating element control external indication receiving part

832 … heating element control internal indicating part

833 … heating element control internal instruction receiving part

834 … characteristic after heat-generating body control switching

835 … temperature rising side characteristic

836 … temperature drop side characteristic

837 … heating element control switching control processing unit

839 and 839 … flow rate presence/absence determination unit.