JP2006349444A - Vehicle diagnostic device and vehicle diagnostic method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vehicle diagnostic device 1 accurately locating a functional part 3 where failure occurs, and eliminating wasteful repair and maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: A personal computer 5 of the vehicle diagnostic device 1 has an ECU 2, and functions as a signal output means for outputting a signal to the functional part 3 and a failure determining means for determining whether a failure occurs in the functional part 3 according to a signal synthesized by the functional part 3 by reception of the input of the signal from the signal output means. When the signal outputted from the signal output means is previously determined so that the pattern of the signal synthesized by the functional part 3 depends on whether the failure occurs in the functional part 3, whether the failure occurs in the functional part 3 is accurately determined. As a result, a functional part 3 where failure occurs is accurately located, and wasteful repair and maintenance are eliminated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a vehicle diagnostic apparatus and a vehicle diagnostic method for diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred in a functional component (on-vehicle functional component) mounted on a vehicle.

[Conventional technology]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a vehicle diagnostic apparatus that diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in an in-vehicle functional component has been used for vehicle repair and maintenance. A conventional vehicle diagnostic device is configured by a vehicle control device that controls a driving state of a vehicle and stores various failure codes, and a display that displays the failure codes.

  Here, the vehicle control device is an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle, and includes a CPU that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, a ROM that stores various programs and data, a RAM, an EEPROM, a backup RAM, and the like. It is a known computer composed of means, an input circuit, an output circuit, and the like.

  And this ECU controls the driving | running state of a vehicle by inputting / outputting a signal between vehicle-mounted functional components. The vehicle-mounted functional components are various actuators such as a motor that operates in response to a command signal output from the ECU, various sensors that output detection signals to the ECU (hereinafter, the vehicle-mounted functional components are referred to as functional components). . Further, the ECU stores, as a failure code, a signal that is synthesized when a malfunction occurs in the operation of the functional component. The stored failure code is displayed on a display device during periodic inspections and repairs of the vehicle, and is used for reference of vehicle repair and maintenance.

[Problems with conventional technology]
However, in the conventional vehicle diagnostic apparatus, it is difficult to accurately specify a factor (for example, a functional component in which a failure occurs) in which a failure code is synthesized. For this reason, the repair worker empirically estimates the part that needs repair and maintenance from the displayed fault code. As a result, there is a risk of unnecessary repairs and maintenance, making periodic inspections inefficient.

In the vehicle diagnostic apparatus, a technique has been proposed in which the content of the failure code is retained even when a repair worker or the like executes a process of deleting the failure code (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, this technique is intended to maintain fault codes, and is not intended to improve the efficiency of repair and maintenance based on fault codes.
Japanese Patent No. 3419060

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to accurately identify a functional component in which a failure has occurred, and to eliminate vehicle repair and maintenance. To provide an apparatus.

[Means of Claim 1]
The vehicle diagnostic device according to claim 1 is for diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred in an in-vehicle functional component that inputs and outputs signals to and from the vehicle control device. A signal output unit that outputs a signal to the in-vehicle functional component imitating a signal when the function of the control device is normal, and the in-vehicle functional component according to a signal that is synthesized by the in-vehicle functional component receiving a signal input from the signal output unit Failure determination means for determining whether or not a failure has occurred.

  As a result, if the signal output from the signal output means is determined so that the pattern of the signal synthesized by the in-vehicle functional component differs depending on whether or not a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component, the in-vehicle functional component It is possible to accurately determine whether or not a failure has occurred. As a result, it is possible to accurately identify the in-vehicle functional component in which a failure has occurred and eliminate unnecessary repairs and maintenance.

[Means of claim 2]
According to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus of the second aspect, the signal used for determining whether or not a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component is received by the in-vehicle functional component from the signal output means. The signals are synthesized by inputting and outputting signals between the functional component and the vehicle control device.
This reproduces the input / output of signals between the vehicle control device and the in-vehicle functional components while driving the vehicle, so that signals with different patterns are reliably combined depending on whether or not a failure has occurred. be able to.

[Means of claim 3]
According to the vehicle diagnosis method of claim 3, one in-vehicle functional component is selected from among a plurality of in-vehicle functional components as a signal output destination by the signal output means, and a failure occurs in the selected in-vehicle functional component. Until it is determined that one of the in-vehicle functional components is selected, one in-vehicle functional component is selected again as the output destination.
As a result, the in-vehicle functional component can be selected again until the in-vehicle functional component in which the failure has occurred is identified.

[Means of claim 4]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle diagnostic method using the vehicle diagnostic apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein one in-vehicle functional component is used as a signal output destination by the signal output means. Until a selection is made and it is determined that a failure has occurred in the selected in-vehicle functional component, one in-vehicle functional component is selected again as an output destination from the plurality of in-vehicle functional components.
Thus, the same effect as that of the means of the third aspect can be obtained, and it can also be determined whether or not a failure has occurred in equipment (for example, ECU) other than the in-vehicle functional component.

[Means of claim 5]
According to the vehicle diagnosis method of claim 5, if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the selected in-vehicle functional component, the selected in-vehicle functional component is replaced, and the signal output means again replaces the Outputs signals to in-vehicle functional parts.
This makes it possible to reliably determine whether or not the cause of failure is in the selected in-vehicle functional component. That is, if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component even after the replacement of the in-vehicle functional component by the input / output of the signal again, the occurrence of the failure is a device other than the in-vehicle functional component. This can be attributed to a failure of the ECU (for example, ECU).

[Means of claim 6]
The signal output means and the failure determination means of the vehicle diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 are general-purpose personal computers.
Thereby, the vehicle-mounted functional component in which the failure has occurred can be easily identified.

  The vehicle diagnostic apparatus of the best mode 1 diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in an in-vehicle functional component that inputs and outputs signals to and from the vehicle control apparatus. A signal output unit that outputs a signal to the in-vehicle functional component imitating a signal when the function of the device is normal, and an in-vehicle functional component according to the signal that the in-vehicle functional component synthesizes by receiving a signal input from the signal output unit Failure determination means for determining whether or not a failure has occurred.

  Further, according to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus, the signal used for determining whether or not a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component is received by the in-vehicle functional component from the signal output means. The signals are synthesized by inputting / outputting signals to / from the control device.

Further, according to the vehicle diagnostic method using this vehicle diagnostic apparatus, one in-vehicle functional component is selected from among a plurality of in-vehicle functional components as a signal output destination by the signal output means, and the selected in-vehicle functional component is selected. Until it is determined that a failure has occurred, one in-vehicle functional component is reselected from among the plurality of in-vehicle functional components as an output destination. Further, if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the selected in-vehicle functional component, the selected in-vehicle functional component is replaced, and a signal is output again from the signal output means to the replaced in-vehicle functional component.
The signal output means and the failure determination means are general-purpose personal computers.

[Configuration of Example 1]
The configuration of the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The vehicle diagnostic device 1 diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component 3 (hereinafter referred to as the functional component 3) that inputs and outputs signals to and from the vehicle control device 2. Here, the vehicle control device 2 is, for example, an electronic control device (ECU) that is mounted on the vehicle 4 and controls the operating state of the engine (hereinafter, the vehicle control device 2 is referred to as ECU 2). Are various actuators such as a motor that operates in response to a command signal output from the ECU 2, various sensors that output a detection signal to the ECU 2, and the like.

  The ECU 2 is a computer having a well-known structure including a CPU that performs control processing and arithmetic processing, storage means such as a ROM, RAM, EEPROM, and backup RAM that store various programs and data, an input circuit, an output circuit, and the like. And ECU2 controls the operating state of an engine by inputting / outputting a signal between the functional components 3 with such a structure, for example.

  The vehicle diagnosis apparatus 1 includes a general-purpose personal computer 5 that functions as a signal output unit and a failure determination unit, which will be described later, and a tool 6 that relays signals between the ECU 2, the functional component 3, and the personal computer 5.

  The personal computer 5 is a well-known small general-purpose computer that can be used by individuals, a CPU for performing control processing and arithmetic processing, ROM for storing various programs and data, RAM, a hard disk, a storage means such as a floppy disk, a keyboard, a liquid crystal display, etc. Consists of. The personal computer 5 may be of various types such as a desktop type and a notebook type.

Further, the personal computer 5 is electrically connected to the tool 6 by a cable, a connector, or the like, and is set in a state in which signals can be input / output with the tool 6. Thereby, the personal computer 5 can input and output signals between the ECU 2 and the functional component 3 via the tool 6.
By adopting such a configuration, the personal computer 5 replaces the ECU 2 with a signal output means for outputting a signal to the functional component 3 simulating a signal when the ECU 2 is functioning normally. It can function as a failure determination means for determining whether or not a failure has occurred in the functional component 3 in accordance with a signal to be combined by receiving a signal input.

  First, the personal computer 5 functions as signal output means. That is, the storage means of the personal computer 5 stores a signal pattern to be output when the function of the ECU 2 is normal and each functional component 3 is out of order. When the functional component 3 as the output destination is selected via a keyboard or the like, the personal computer 5 outputs a signal corresponding to the selected functional component 3. This signal is output to the selected functional component 3 via the tool 6.

  Next, the personal computer 5 functions as a failure determination unit. Upon receiving a signal input from the personal computer 5, the selected functional component 3 performs signal input / output with the ECU 2 via the tool 6 to synthesize a signal to be output to the personal computer 5. The personal computer 5 receives the input of this signal and determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the functional component 3 selected based on the input signal. That is, the storage means of the personal computer 5 stores the pattern of the signal output from the selected functional component 3, and the personal computer 5 stores the newly input signal pattern and the stored signal pattern. By comparing, it is determined whether or not a failure has occurred in the selected functional component 3.

  The tool 6 is detachably attached to the ECU 2, the personal computer 5, and the functional component 3 side connector. The tool 6 is electrically connected to the ECU 2, the personal computer 5, and the functional component 3, and functions as a router that controls a signal input / output path. Note that the ECU 2 is removed from a predetermined mounting position in the vehicle 4 and is electrically connected to the tool 6 when the vehicle 4 is diagnosed.

[Vehicle Diagnosis Method of Example 1]
A vehicle diagnosis method according to the first embodiment will be described based on a flowchart shown in FIG.
First, in step S1, one functional component 3 is selected from a plurality of functional components 3 as an output destination of a signal from the personal computer 5 via a keyboard of the personal computer 5 or the like. Next, in step S <b> 2, the personal computer 5 outputs a signal to the selected functional component 3 (hereinafter, “selected functional component 3” is referred to as a failure estimation component). Next, in step S3, the failure estimation component receives a signal from the personal computer 5, inputs / outputs a signal to / from the ECU 2, and outputs a signal to be output to the personal computer 5 according to the result of the input / output. Synthesize.

  In step S4, the personal computer 5 receives the input of the signal synthesized in step S3 and determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component based on the input signal. If it is determined that a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component (YES), the process proceeds to step S5, where the failure estimation component is replaced. If it is determined in step S4 that no failure has occurred in the failure estimation component (NO), the flow returns to step S1 to reselect the failure estimation component.

  Next, in step S6, a signal is output again from the personal computer 5 to the fault estimation part after replacement. In step S7, the failure estimation component again receives a signal from the personal computer 5, inputs / outputs a signal to / from the ECU 2, and a signal to be output to the personal computer 5 according to the result of the input / output. Is synthesized.

  In step S8, the personal computer 5 receives the input of the signal synthesized in step S7, and determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component based on the input signal. If it is determined that a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component (YES), the process proceeds to step S9. If it is determined that no failure has occurred in the failure estimation component (NO), the flow ends. In step S9, it is considered that the cause that the personal computer 5 determines that a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component is the ECU 2 other than the failure estimation component, and the ECU 2 is inspected, repaired, or replaced.

[Effect of Example 1]
The personal computer 5 according to the first embodiment diagnoses whether or not a failure has occurred in the functional component 3 that inputs and outputs signals with the ECU 2, and outputs a signal to the functional component 3 separately from the ECU 2. The signal output means and the functional component 3 function as failure determination means for determining whether or not a failure has occurred in the functional component 3 in accordance with a signal synthesized by receiving a signal input from the signal output means.

  Thus, if the signal output from the signal output means is determined so that the pattern of the signal synthesized by the functional component 3 differs depending on whether or not a failure has occurred in the functional component 3, the functional component 3 It is possible to accurately determine whether or not a failure has occurred. As a result, it is possible to accurately identify the functional component 3 in which a failure has occurred and eliminate unnecessary repairs and maintenance.

Further, according to the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 1, the signal used for determining whether or not a failure has occurred in the functional component 3 is received by the functional component 3 from the signal output means. The signals are synthesized by inputting / outputting signals to / from the ECU 2.
As a result, signal input / output between the ECU 2 and the functional component 3 during operation of the vehicle 4 is reproduced, so that signals with different patterns are reliably combined depending on whether or not a failure has occurred. be able to.

Moreover, according to the vehicle diagnostic method using the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 1, one functional component 3 is selected from among a plurality of functional components 3 as a signal output destination by the signal output means, and the selected functional component 3 ( One functional component 3 is selected again as an output destination from the plurality of functional components 3 until it is determined that a failure has occurred in (failure estimation component).
Thereby, the functional component 3 can be selected again until the functional component 3 in which the failure has occurred is specified.

Further, according to this vehicle diagnosis method, if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component, the failure estimation component is replaced, and a signal is output again from the signal output means to the replaced failure estimation component.
This makes it possible to reliably determine whether or not the cause of the failure is in the failure estimation component. That is, if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the failure estimation component even after the replacement of the failure estimation component by the input / output of the signal again, the occurrence of the failure is a device other than the failure estimation component. It can be considered that it is caused by a failure (for example, ECU 2).

Further, the signal output means and the failure determination means of the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 1 are executed as functions of the personal computer 5.
Thereby, the functional component 3 in which the failure has occurred can be easily identified.

[Modification]
In the vehicle diagnostic apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the function of the signal output means and the failure determination means is executed by the personal computer 5, but the present invention is not limited to this mode. The function of the means may be executed, or one of the functions of the signal output means and the failure determination means may be executed.

It is a whole block diagram of a vehicle diagnostic apparatus (Example). It is a flowchart which shows the process by a vehicle diagnostic apparatus (Example).

Explanation of symbols

1 vehicle diagnostic device 2 ECU (vehicle control device)
3 Functional parts (in-vehicle functional parts)
5 PC (Signal output means, failure judgment means)

Claims (6)

In the vehicle diagnostic device for diagnosing whether or not a failure has occurred in an in-vehicle functional component that inputs and outputs signals with the vehicle control device,
Instead of the vehicle control device, a signal output means for outputting a signal to the in-vehicle functional component imitating a signal when the function of the vehicle control device is normal;
A vehicle diagnostic apparatus comprising: a failure determination unit that determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component according to a signal that is synthesized by the in-vehicle functional component receiving a signal input from the signal output unit. The vehicle diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
The signal used to determine whether or not a failure has occurred in the in-vehicle functional component is received by the in-vehicle functional component from the signal output means, and further, the signal between the in-vehicle functional component and the vehicle control device A vehicle diagnostic apparatus characterized by being synthesized by inputting and outputting signals between them. In the vehicle diagnostic method using the vehicle diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1,
Selecting one in-vehicle functional component from among the plurality of in-vehicle functional components as a signal output destination by the signal output means;
A vehicle diagnosis method comprising: reselecting one in-vehicle functional component from among the plurality of in-vehicle functional components as the output destination until it is determined that a failure has occurred in the selected in-vehicle functional component. In the vehicle diagnostic method using the vehicle diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2,
Selecting one in-vehicle functional component from among the plurality of in-vehicle functional components as a signal output destination by the signal output means;
A vehicle diagnosis method comprising: reselecting one in-vehicle functional component from among the plurality of in-vehicle functional components as the output destination until it is determined that a failure has occurred in the selected in-vehicle functional component. The vehicle diagnosis method according to claim 4,
If it is determined that a failure has occurred in the selected in-vehicle functional component, the selected in-vehicle functional component is replaced, and a signal is output from the signal output means to the replaced in-vehicle functional component again. A vehicle diagnosis method. In the vehicle diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The vehicle diagnostic apparatus characterized in that the signal output means and the failure determination means are general-purpose personal computers.

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