DE102014217500A1 - Method and device for diagnosing conditions of a vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

For diagnosing states of a vehicle (1), at least one microphone (8a, 8b) is provided in an interior space (4) of the vehicle (1). The noises recorded by the microphone (8a, 8b) are analyzed with regard to sound frequencies, volume amplitudes, phase positions and / or transit time differences. In this case, corresponding noise data can be stored and / or transmitted to the outside of the vehicle. Based on the analysis, an assessment of a condition of the vehicle (1) can be made.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for diagnosing conditions of a vehicle.

Vehicles, especially motor vehicles, require regular diagnostics regarding their operability and operational safety. For this purpose sensors, actuators and / or electronic circuits or controls are frequently provided in the vehicles with which respective vehicle states are established, characteristic values are set, recorded and / or evaluated.

The corresponding diagnosis can be made in particular during the operation of the vehicle. For example, during operation, temperature values of cooling water and oil are detected and assessed, or air pressures of charge pressure or tire pressure can be detected and evaluated. In the case of a critical value, an error message or warning message, for example by means of indicator lights on a control panel or a combination display instrument or supported by a graphical display in a so-called head unit to the driver are issued.

During the operation of a vehicle, however, fault conditions may also occur which can not be diagnosed or assigned with great accuracy by conventional sensors which detect operating parameters. This was in the DE 199 14 533 A1 proposed a vibration-acoustic diagnostic system, recorded in the sound or vibration frequencies or frequency spectra in a motor vehicle during operation by means of an additional vibration sensor to be installed and compared with corresponding reference spectra in (target spectra).

To suppress noise in the passenger compartment of a vehicle was in the DE 44 02 412 A1 proposed a noise suppression system in which by arranged in the passenger compartment speakers compensation sounds, so-called counter sound generated.

It is an object of the invention to make a contribution to enable the diagnosis of conditions of a vehicle efficiently and accurately.

This object is achieved by the invention specified in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, at least one microphone is provided for diagnosing states, in particular fault conditions of a vehicle in an interior of the vehicle, in particular in the passenger compartment. The sounds recorded by the microphone are analyzed for sound frequencies, volume amplitudes and / or phase angles. Based on the analysis, an assessment of the condition of the vehicle is made. The analysis of the noises and / or the assessment of the vehicle condition may be made within the vehicle. They can also take place outside the vehicle, in which case corresponding data, for example, data generated by means of the microphone are transmitted to an off-vehicle device. The noise data can in particular be stored and / or transmitted online. In particular, the analysis can take place immediately after the acquisition, storage and / or transmission of the noise data.

A microphone according to the invention receives audio signals. These signals are typically audible to the human ear and are typically in the frequency range of 15 to 25000 hertz. A microphone can also record one or more sub-ranges from this frequency range, e.g. a range of 20 hertz to 15000 hertz, a range of 50 hertz to 10000 hertz or a range of 100 hertz to 5000 hertz.

The invention is particularly based on the recognition that in vehicles microphones are sometimes installed and used for various purposes and that it is advantageously possible to use a microphone for various tasks within a vehicle. This results in advantageous synergy effects.

Furthermore, the invention is based on the finding that it would be too costly in a vehicle to attach to all potentially susceptible components sensors to record the respective structure-borne noise of the parts directly. In contrast, according to the invention, it has been recognized that it is possible to use a microphone for multiple purposes, wherein it is particularly advantageously possible for the recording and diagnosis of noise to use at least one microphone in the vehicle interior, which are assigned to a vehicle occupant. As a result, it is possible to correlate the subjective acoustic perception of the respective vehicle occupant with the acoustic data acquired by means of the microphone in a location-specific manner in the event of any noise. The microphone can be used accordingly in several operating states. It may, for example, be used in a first operating state for a first device or a first group of devices, for example for a hands-free device and / or a counter-sound system. In another operating state, the Microphone are used at least for the analysis and assessment of the vehicle condition, in parallel with a use for another purpose, for example, for the speakerphone and / or counter-sound system is possible.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one microphone is connected to a mobile radio device such that it can be used as a hands-free microphone for a mobile radio voice connection. In this embodiment, the microphone is advantageous double or combined usable, namely for the diagnosis of the vehicle condition and as a hands-free microphone for the mobile device. It is also possible to provide a plurality of microphones which can be used in duplicate or in combination for diagnostic purposes and voice transmission purposes. A microphone or a group of microphones can be assigned within the vehicle in each case a specific passenger seat, for example, the place of the driver, the passenger seat and / or one or more passenger seats in the rear. The respective microphone or the microphone group can be arranged in particular spatially close to the respective passenger place. With the invention can thus be advantageously achieved that for a passenger or for the driver disturbing noises of the vehicle are closely recorded coupled to the respective passenger place. Thus, the diagnosis of the noise can be made specifically with regard to the place or person on which the noise occurred or from which it was perceived. This aspect of the invention is based on the recognition that if, for example, the driver perceives a disturbing noise, it can be assumed that the noise can be detected by microphones which are arranged in the vicinity of the driver's seat and thus ultimately the noise cause can be found relatively well . is assignable.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the at least one microphone can be operated in different operating states. In this case, the operating state can be understood to mean that the signals emitted by the microphone are supplied to a predetermined signal processing device or several predetermined signal processing devices, for example in a first operating state of only one handsfree device, in a second operating state only one analysis and evaluation device for evaluating the vehicle state and in one third operating state of the two devices mentioned. In the context of such an operating state it can also be provided that the signals emitted by the respective microphone or the data corresponding to the signals are stored in the vehicle and / or outside the vehicle. In a corresponding operating state, it can also be provided that the signals emitted by the respective microphone or the data corresponding to the signals from the vehicle to a vehicle-external, stationary receiver, for example to a back-end computer in the infrastructure of a vehicle manufacturer and / or a service network. Operator wholly or partially wireless or wired to be transmitted.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the respective operating state can be switched on or switched over between different operating states. The switching can preferably be done within the vehicle and in particular menu-controlled, for example, by the driver. For this purpose, a corresponding control can be provided in the vehicle, for example as part of a service menu control in an infotainment system. A corresponding operating state can be switched on remotely in the vehicle, for example by a stationary service station by means of a telematics system or teleservices.

In a further operating state, such as the second or third operating state, the respective microphone can be used both for the hands-free device and for the analysis and assessment of the vehicle state and be used in such a way that speech signals are recorded simultaneously with the recording of vehicle-specific noises. In the course of the detection and / or recording of the sound signals for the purpose of diagnostics, voice information of a person in the vehicle, for example the driver, can also be advantageously recorded so that explanations associated with time and / or space are also evaluated in the diagnosis can be. For example, while recording and / or recording the noise, the driver may say, "I am hearing a high-pitched whistle sound at the front left. The whistling sound is getting quieter. Now the whistle is hummed. " Such current or correlating information is particularly useful for analyzing noises that occur only sporadically while driving as valuable for fault diagnosis. Corresponding information can also be entered by a person in the vehicle, for example via a graphical user interface.

An online diagnosis is possible in which the vehicle and / or the driver has direct connection to a service station, for example in a motor vehicle workshop or at the vehicle manufacturer. In this case, a dialogue between the vehicle and service station or between the driver and a service specialist is possible for troubleshooting, so that a coupled, partially automatic and sometimes specialist-led diagnosis becomes possible. The dialogue can take place, in particular, as a speech dialogue using the at least one microphone. It may comprise further communication means, for example a data transmission as well as a data input and / or output via a graphical user interface on a mobile communication device, in particular installed in the vehicle, such as an infotainment system.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the at least one microphone and / or another, provided in the interior of the vehicle microphone is used by a counter-sound system, wherein noise in the interior of the vehicle detected by the microphone and on the basis of the signals detected in this way against Negligent signals are output to at least one provided in the interior of the vehicle speakers that the noise for an occupant of the vehicle are at least partially suppressed. According to this embodiment, the microphone is advantageously used in two or combined, namely for the diagnosis of the vehicle condition and as a signal generator for the antinoise system. In addition, by appropriately hiding typical, non-conditional noise such as pure wind noise, the condition diagnosis can be made more accurate than in the prior art.

To analyze the sounds recorded with the microphone, it is advantageously possible to filter the detected signals according to predetermined patterns or spectra with regard to frequencies, frequency ranges, volume amplitudes and / or phase angles. A pattern may be associated with typical background noises, such as wind noise, that are not associated with any source of error. A pattern can be assigned predetermined error states of the vehicle. After successful assignment of a pattern to a recorded noise, a corresponding status message associated with the pattern, for example in the case of an error pattern, a corresponding error message can be output. A status message may be stored in a data memory of the vehicle and / or provided by the vehicle via a data connection interface. As a data connection interface, an at least partially wired and / or an at least partially wireless connection can be provided. For example, an on-board diagnostic (OBD) interface standardized for motor vehicles may be provided and / or a connection may be made using a wireless wireless network such as wireless local area network (WLAN) according to the standard IEEE 802.11 or a mobile radio network according to one of the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) standards, eg via GSM, GSM1, GSM2, GSM3, LTE.

In the vehicle, a plurality of actuators may be provided, for example an internal combustion engine and / or electric motors. On the basis of the results of the analysis of the noises, an assessment of a state of the vehicle with regard to at least one of the actuators can be made.

The invention also provides a device for diagnosing conditions of a vehicle. It comprises at least one microphone for placement in an interior of the vehicle and an analysis and evaluation device, with the recorded noise from the microphone in the vehicle with respect to sound frequencies, volume amplitudes, phase angles and / or time differences are analyzed and which is set up so that based on Analysis an assessment of a condition of the vehicle is vornehmbar. Also, a vehicle equipped with such a device corresponds to the invention.

In the context of the invention, in particular measures and parts can be provided which are in the vibration-acoustic diagnostic system of the aforementioned DE 199 14 533 A1 are described. This document is hereby incorporated by reference into the present specification for this purpose.

In the following, further embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to figures. Show it:

1 A motor vehicle and

2 The connection of a motor vehicle with a backend computer.

In the figures, similar or identically acting parts are provided with the same reference numerals, so that these parts need not be fully described in each figure. In that regard, a description of one of the figures also applies to the other figure. Parts of embodiments of a figure can be connected within the scope of the invention with embodiments of the other figure and with previously described embodiments and vice versa.

From the in 1 only schematically illustrated motor vehicle 1 are among other things its engine 2 and from the chassis the front wheels with associated axle 3a and rear wheels with associated axle 3b shown. In the interior 4 of the motor vehicle 1 is in the front area a microphone 8a provided and in the rear area a microphone 8b , The microphones 8a . 8b are with an infotainment system 5 related data, which is a mobile or telematics device 7a , a handsfree device 7b , an analysis and evaluation device 6 and other, not shown components such as multimedia components (radio, CD player, MP3 player, etc.). The analysis and evaluation device 6 includes an analysis device 9 , an evaluation facility 10 and a data store 11 in which predetermined signal patterns or corresponding analysis and / or evaluation algorithms can be stored or stored. The microphone 8a is to the handsfree 7b connected by the mobile device 7a is being used.

From the microphones 8a . 8b incoming signals are in the analyzer 9 each analyzed in terms of their sound frequencies, volume amplitude and / or phase angles. From the corresponding values of the sound signals of one or more microphones can then in the evaluation device 6 be determined whether and possibly to which disturbance of the vehicle, the recorded sound signals are due. For this purpose, data relating to corresponding, to tone frequencies, volume amplitudes, phase angles and / or propagation time differences, predetermined signal patterns of one or more microphones in the data memory 11 stored. A signal pattern is assigned to one or more disturbances of the vehicle and the corresponding data in the data memory 11 associated with fault data, such as a fault identifier.

In the analysis and evaluation device 6 For example, corresponding sound signals relative to each other between the different microphones can be compared. Thus, for example, sounds recorded on both microphones can be analyzed for the timing of their input to the respective microphones. As a result, for example, in the interior 4 prevailing sounds can be compared to whether they go first in the front area or first in the rear area. From corresponding time differences, runtime differences and / or delay patterns to tones of certain frequencies and / or frequency ranges, in particular in each case the same and / or different frequencies or frequency ranges of sound signals of one or more microphones, then conclusions on the noise source, in particular with regard to their location and sound frequencies , to be pulled. For example, if a particular sound signal or noise pattern of microphone 8a recorded earlier than by microphone 8b , then this speaks for the fact that the noise source in the front area of the vehicle, for example by the engine 2 or from the area of the front axle 3a comes. From a frequency analysis of the sound signals can then be differentiated again, if the noise may be from the engine 2 or from the chassis area of the front axle 3a comes. If a corresponding noise pattern as an error pattern in the data memory 11 can be deposited by the analysis and evaluation device 6 generates an appropriate error message or from the data memory 11 be loaded and output to an optical, acoustic and / or haptic output device, for example to a combination instrument and / or to a head-up display in the interior 4 of the motor vehicle 1 , For example, the error message may also contain additional data such as time data, mileage data of the motor vehicle, other vehicle diagnostic data, environmental data, etc. in the data memory 11 and / or in another data memory of the motor vehicle 1 be stored. The data can then at a later time, for example, during a service operation on the motor vehicle 1 wired or wirelessly read, transmitted to a vehicle-external diagnostic device and / or used for further diagnostic purposes.

At the in 2 shown motor vehicle 1 are in addition to the in 1 components shown a speaker 14 in the front area of the interior 4 of the motor vehicle 1 provided and a speaker 15 in the rear area of the interior 4 , The speaker 14 . 15 can from the analysis and evaluation device 6 be controlled in such a way that in the interior 4 external noise, such as wind noise, tire rolling noise, is selectively superimposed with counter-sound such that the noise is canceled out at least partially and at least at the driver's and / or passenger's seats. This is in the analysis and evaluation device 6 a corresponding control device is provided which consists of the microphone 8a and / or microphone 8b Recorded sound signals generated counter-noise signals. The antinoise signals are so out of phase, that at the corresponding places in the interior of the speakers 14 . 15 output sound signals are emitted from the outside sounds at least partially extinguished. In order to achieve the sound cancellation or a so-called noise cancellation further measures known to those skilled in the field of noise cancellation technology can be taken and means provided. For example, suitable algorithms for efficient noise cancellation may be provided and / or additional microphones and / or loudspeakers may be provided for producing suitable antinoise signals. Corresponding measures and means are, for example, in the already mentioned DE 44 02 412 A1 the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into the present description. The speaker 14 is also to the mobile device 7a of the motor vehicle 1 connected and used by this as part of the handsfree kit 7b used.

At the in 2 shown motor vehicle 1 is still in the analysis and evaluation device 6 an interface 13 for a data transmission to an outside of the motor vehicle 1 located, central backend computer 12 provided, for example, by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle 1 or operated by a service provider. The data transmission can take place at least partially wirelessly via a mobile radio connection. The central backend computer 12 in turn contains a program-controlled evaluation device 10a , in the appropriate reviews as in the evaluation 10 of the motor vehicle. These can be the sound signals of the microphones 8a . 8b over the interface 13 to the central backend computer 12 be sent there, analyzed and evaluated there and the corresponding evaluation result, in particular a corresponding error message to be transferred back to the motor vehicle. Such a vehicle-overlapping embodiment allows for a more accurate, more comprehensive evaluation of the recorded audio signals that can be easily updated by the manufacturer of the motor vehicle compared with the vehicle-internal embodiment. the interface 13 can also to the mobile device 7a of the motor vehicle 1 be connected and used by this.

The described devices and system components are in particular controlled by computer programs and can have further, known per se elements of computers and digital control devices such as a microprocessor, volatile and non-volatile memory, interfaces, etc. Therefore, the invention can also be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product which, when loaded and executed on a computer, completely or partially effects a sequence according to the invention. It can be provided, for example, in the form of a data carrier such as a CD / DVD, or else in the form of one or more files on a server from which the computer program can be downloaded.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 19914533 A1 [0004, 0021]
• DE 4402412 A1 [0005, 0029]

Cited non-patent literature

• IEEE 802.11 [0018]

Claims (13)

Method for diagnosing states of a vehicle ( 1 ) in which - in an interior ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) at least one microphone ( 8a . 8b ) is provided, - that of the microphone ( 8a . 8b ) are analyzed with regard to sound frequencies, volume amplitudes, phase angles and / or transit time differences and, on the basis of the analysis, an assessment of a state of the vehicle ( 1 ) is made. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one microphone ( 8a . 8b ) in such a way with a mobile radio device ( 7a ) that it is usable as a hands-free microphone for a mobile voice connection. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the microphone ( 8a . 8b ) in a first operating state only for a first device or group of devices, in particular for a hands-free device ( 7b ), and in a further operating state, at least for the analysis and assessment of the vehicle condition. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the microphone ( 1 ) in the further operating state both for the hands-free device ( 7b ) as well as for the analysis and assessment of the vehicle condition and used in such a way that speech signals are recorded simultaneously with the recording of on-vehicle sounds. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one microphone ( 8a . 8b ) and / or another in the interior ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) provided microphone ( 8a . 8b ) from a counter sound system ( 6 . 14 . 15 ) is used, with noises in the interior ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) with the microphone ( 8a . 8b ) and on the basis of the signals thus detected in such a way anti-phase signals to at least one in the interior ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) provided speakers ( 14 . 15 ) that the noises for an occupant of the vehicle ( 1 ) are at least partially suppressed. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for the analysis of the microphone ( 8a . 8b ) a filtering of the detected signals according to predetermined patterns in terms of frequencies, frequency ranges, volume amplitudes and / or phase angles is carried out. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the pattern predetermined error conditions of the vehicle ( 1 ) be assigned. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that after successful assignment of a pattern to a recorded noise a corresponding, the pattern associated status message is output. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that for a diagnosed state, a status message in a data memory of the vehicle ( 1 ) and / or from the vehicle via a data connection interface ( 13 ) provided. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - in the vehicle a plurality of actuators ( 2 ) and, on the basis of the results of the analysis of the noises, an assessment of a condition of the vehicle ( 1 ) with regard to at least one of the actuators ( 2 ) is made. Device for diagnosing states of a vehicle ( 1 ), comprising: - at least one microphone ( 8a . 8b ) for placement in an interior ( 4 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) and - an analysis and evaluation device ( 6 . 9 . 10 . 11 ), from the microphone ( 8a . 8b ) are analyzed in terms of sound frequencies, volume amplitudes, phase angles and / or transit time differences recorded in the vehicle and which is arranged so that on the basis of the analysis, an assessment of a state of the vehicle ( 1 ) is vornehmbar. Device according to claim 11, arranged such that it can be operated in a first operating state in which the microphone ( 1 ) only for a first device or group of devices, in particular for a hands-free device ( 7b ), and that in another operating state, the microphone ( 1 ) is used for the analysis and assessment of the vehicle condition.  Vehicle comprising a device according to claim 12.

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