Abstract: While ECUs are connected with a distribution apparatus via a communication line, each of the ECUs sends status notification representing own status to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus creates status information representing status of the ECUs in accordance with status notifications received from the ECUs connected with the distribution apparatus. This status information is sent to other distribution apparatuses together with data for synchronizing a database. The other ECUs perform similar operations to those of the ECUs, while the other distribution apparatuses perform similar operations to those of the distribution apparatus. Therefore, each of the distribution apparatuses can recognize the status of all the ECUs.

Abstract: GW apparatuses send messages including data being sent from ECUs to a distribution apparatus without sending to an ECU. The distribution apparatus stores the messages on a database, and sends the messages to an ECU, and an ECU. In a case, the distribution apparatus sends the messages in a message sending order and the GW apparatuses relays the messages being sent from the distribution apparatus to the ECUs. The message sending order may be an order in which the distribution apparatus receives the messages an ascending (descending) order of values corresponding to message IDs applied to the messages or an ascending order of message received time of the messages.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping apparatus, capable of positioning and clamping a panel material and removing the panel material from a locating pin under a state of releasing the clamping, is provided. A base having a contact surface contacting with the panel material is provided with the locating pin that penetrates through a through-hole of the panel material. A clamp arm moving between an escaping position and a clamping position is provided in a slit, and the clamp arm is moved between these positions by a reciprocating cam. When the clamp arm reaches the clamping position, the panel material is clamped by a clamp portion which is a tip of the clamp arm. A pusher driven by a pushing piston is provided inside the base, and the panel material is removed from the locating pin by the pusher.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping apparatus clamps a panel material by moving a clamp arm to a clamping position while the panel material positioned by a locating pin is supported by a workpiece supporting face of a workpiece support. An extruding member having a plurality of extruding rods protruding from the workpiece supporting face is slidably provided in the workpiece support, and the panel material is detached from the locating pin since the extruding member causes a tip face of the extruding rods to be moved to a carry-out position by the hollow piston. The extruding member is caused to protrude by a spring force up to a standby position located between the carrying-out position and the workpiece supporting position, thereby being pushed down up to the workpiece supporting position by the panel material.

Abstract: The relay devices store data received from an ECU connected to each of the relay devices in the first reception buffers, respectively. During a synchronizing period, the relay devices perform transmission and reception by mainline frames including attribute value groups mutually received from the ECUs. Data read out from the databases are transmitted to the ECUs. The databases are synchronized with one another only when the relay device receives the final frame from the relay device which received all the mainline frames and issues COMMIT.

Abstract: Relay apparatuses read the attribute values of data, i.e., numerical information representing measurement values, calculation values, control values, etc., from receive buffers in which data received from ECUs connected thereto is stored, and create trunk frames containing the numerical information and transmit and receive trunk frames via trunk lines. The relay apparatuses derive numerical information from trunk frames received from the other relay apparatuses and renew the numerical information on the data stored in their respective databases using the derived numerical information.

Abstract: When sending data, an ECU sends time lag information indicating a time lag that is a difference between time of generating time point at which the data is generated and time of sending start time point at which the ECU actually starts sending the data. When transferring the data, a relay apparatus adds time lag information indicating a time lag that is a difference between time of receiving start time point at which the relay apparatus starts receiving the data and time of transferring start time point at which the relay apparatus starts transferring the data, onto the time lag added on the received data. When receiving the data, an ECU determines for the received data the time of the generating time point that is earlier the time lag indicated by the time lag information of the received data than the time at which the ECU starts receiving the data.

Abstract: When communication is performed with the upstream and downstream sides being defined in the order of relay apparatuses, the relay apparatuses each transmit a keepalive message representing that they are effectively performing communication. When no keepalive message can be received from the relay apparatus and an abnormality is detected thereby, the relay apparatus transmits a keepalive message including abnormality information representing that the abnormality is detected. By receiving the keepalive message including the abnormality information, the relay apparatus detects the abnormality on the upstream side, changes a communication path, and transmits a master candidate notification to the relay apparatus on the downstream side in order that the relay apparatus itself becomes a master.

Abstract: Distribution apparatuses include databases for storing data received from ECUs, and further include receiving buffers and sending buffers. The distribution apparatus continuously performs, in parallel, an operation for storing received data on the receiving buffer, operation for synchronizing contents of the database with the databases, and an operation for sending data from the sending buffer. Further, the distribution apparatus periodically copies data of the receiving buffer onto the database and data of the database onto the sending buffer.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a sending apparatus, sending method and a communication system with utilizing the sending apparatus that can improve efficiency of data sending operation and can reduce a duty for data communication. Each sending apparatus classifies data stored on a storage into groups “X”, “Y” and “Z”, fractionates a clump of data, classified into each of the groups “X”, “Y” and “Z”, by a number of fractions based on a sending completion allowable time for the classified data, and sends the fractionated data in multi cycles at every sending interval, without sending and receiving the data stored on the storage all at once. Each sending apparatus selects any one piece of data generated from fractionated clump of data for each of the groups “X”, “Y” and “Z”, and then sends the selected piece of data at every sending interval.

Abstract: GW apparatuses send messages including data being sent from ECUs to a distribution apparatus without sending to an ECU. The distribution apparatus stores the messages on a database, and sends the messages to an ECU, and an ECU. In a case, the distribution apparatus sends the messages in a message sending order and the GW apparatuses relays the messages being sent from the distribution apparatus to the ECUs. The message sending order may be an order in which the distribution apparatus receives the messages an ascending (descending) order of values corresponding to message IDs applied to the messages, or an ascending order of message received time of the messages.

Abstract: While ECUs are connected with a distribution apparatus via a communication line, each of the ECUs sends status notification representing own status to the distribution apparatus. The distribution apparatus creates status information representing status of the ECUs in accordance with status notifications received from the ECUs connected with the distribution apparatus. This status information is sent to other distribution apparatuses together with data for synchronizing a database. The other ECUs perform similar operations to those of the ECUs, while the other distribution apparatuses perform similar operations to those of the distribution apparatus. Therefore, each of the distribution apparatuses can recognize the status of all the ECUs.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping apparatus clamps a panel material by moving a clamp arm to a clamping position while the panel material positioned by a locating pin is supported by a workpiece supporting face of a workpiece support. An extruding member having a plurality of extruding rods protruding from the workpiece supporting face is slidably provided in the workpiece support, and the panel material is detached from the locating pin since the extruding member causes a tip face of the extruding rods to be moved to a carry-out position by the hollow piston. The extruding member is caused to protrude by a spring force up to a standby position located between the carrying-out position and the workpiece supporting position, thereby being pushed down up to the workpiece supporting position by the panel material.

Abstract: A positioning and clamping apparatus, capable of positioning and clamping a panel material and removing the panel material from a locating pin under a state of releasing the clamping, is provided. A base having a contact surface contacting with the panel material is provided with the locating pin that penetrates through a through-hole of the panel material. A clamp arm moving between an escaping position and a clamping position is provided in a slit, and the clamp arm is moved between these positions by a reciprocating cam. When the clamp arm reaches the clamping position, the panel material is clamped by a clamp portion which is a tip of the clamp arm. A pusher driven by a pushing piston is provided inside the base, and the panel material is removed from the locating pin by the pusher.

Abstract: A piston is axially and reciprocatably accommodated in a cylinder, and a piston rod, fixed to the piston, penetrates a rod cover to protrude to the outside. Negative pressure supply paths, connected between expansion-contraction chambers and operation ports, are provided with negative pressure check valves allowing flow of air toward the expansion-contraction chambers and blocking reverse flow thereto. Exhaust channels, communicating with the expansion-contraction chambers and the outside, are provided with exhaust check valves allowing flow from the expansion-contraction chambers to the outside and blocking reverse flow thereto. The respective negative pressure supply paths come to a vacuum state due to the reciprocating of the piston.