JPH05172702A - Trouble diagnosing apparatus for automobile - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select optimum one from trouble diagnosis programs which are prepared by inputting VIN(vehicle identification code). CONSTITUTION:One optimum program is selected out of programs stored in a trouble diagnosis program storage part 36. In a VIN storage part 29, VIN for specifying a vehicle is stored. Using ECU-ID obtained from ECU1 as a retrieval key, the VIN of the vehicle carrying ECU of the same type is read out from the VIN storage part 29. In the case when there are a plurality of VIN candidates, one of them is selected by an instruction from a keyboard 26. A check digit is inputted from the keyboard 26, and when this check digit is judged to be correct by a comparing part 35, the VIN is supplied to the trouble diagnosis program storage part 36. The program selected with this VIN used as a key is outputted for a trouble diagnosis.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis device for an automobile, and more particularly, it communicates with an electronic control device mounted on the automobile and, based on the communication result, the electronic control device (hereinafter
(Hereinafter referred to as ECU) and a failure diagnostic device for an automobile capable of discovering a failure that has occurred in a peripheral device connected to the ECU.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, electronic fuel injectors (EF) for automobiles have been used.
Computer-controlled electronic control units (hereinafter referred to as ECUs) are often mounted as control units such as I-devices) and antilock brake systems (ABS). This ECU takes in output signals from various sensors such as a pressure sensor detecting a negative pressure of the air intake pipe, a temperature sensor detecting an engine cooling water temperature, and a rotation sensor detecting an engine speed, and based on the signals. The actuator according to a predetermined program.

When an abnormality occurs in the ECU and its peripheral equipment, there is a failure diagnostic device which is connected to the ECU and used for checking the abnormal portion. A failure diagnosis program for finding a failure location is registered in this failure diagnosis device. The failure diagnosis device communicates with the ECU according to the failure diagnosis program, determines the failure part from the communication result, and displays the failure part on the display device (LCD). Also,
When it is determined that there are a plurality of failure points, all the failure points are displayed on the LCD. Based on this display, the repair technician can easily confirm the faulty part and can promptly take appropriate measures.

A program for fault diagnosis is EC
Generally, a plurality of U types are prepared. Therefore, prior to the failure diagnosis, the operation panel is operated to select the failure diagnosis program suitable for the target ECU.

On the other hand, there is also an apparatus capable of automatically selecting a failure diagnosis program. In this device, the failure diagnosis device first obtains the identification code (ECU-ID) of this ECU from the ECU connected thereto by communication. Then, a predetermined one is selected from a plurality of prepared fault diagnosis programs according to this ECU-ID, and the selected one is switched to.

An example of a failure diagnosis device used by connecting to an ECU mounted on an automobile through a bidirectional communication interface is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 64-52551 and 63-78041. It is described in.

[0007]

The above-mentioned failure diagnosis device has the following problems. In the conventional device, E
The failure diagnosis program is selected only by the CU format. On the other hand, when repairing a defective vehicle, the failure diagnosis program and the vehicle must be compatible.

However, even if the ECUs are the same, the vehicle type and the engine type may be different, and if the failure diagnosis program is selected only by the ECU type as in the conventional case, it takes time to specify the failure. This may happen. As a result, it may not be possible to accurately give instructions such as procurement of parts based on the diagnosis result.

The result diagnosed by the failure diagnosing device is
In some cases, a system for transmitting to a manufacturer's host computer via a public line is configured. With such a configuration, the manufacturer can classify and store the transmitted data, analyze the tendency and cause of the failure, and establish an accurate and prompt quality assurance system and parts supply system. However, it is difficult to accurately grasp the cause and tendency of the failure by accumulating the failure data only by the classification for each ECU as in the past.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and to perform a highly accurate failure diagnosis based on data necessary for specifying a vehicle such as an engine type and an engine specification. To provide a failure diagnosis device.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a means for storing a vehicle identification code capable of identifying a vehicle equipped with the same ECU in association with an ECU-ID, and an ECU. Display means for displaying the vehicle identification code based on the supplied ECU-ID, and when a confirmation signal of the displayed vehicle identification code is input, the vehicle identification code will be responded in response to the confirmation signal. It is characterized in that it is configured to select and start the failure diagnosis program of.

[0012]

According to the present invention having the above characteristics, the failure diagnosis device communicates with the ECU for failure diagnosis according to the failure diagnosis program selected based on the ECU and the vehicle identification code (hereinafter referred to as VIN). It can be replaced with, and accurate and quick failure diagnosis can be performed.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an E of the failure diagnosis device and the vehicle to be diagnosed
It is a block diagram which shows CU.

The ECU 1 includes a CPU 10, a ROM 11 and
A RAM 12, a driver 13, an A / D converter 14, and a communication interface 15 are provided. This ECU
1 is connected to peripheral devices by connectors 16 and 17. Further, the failure diagnosis device 2 can be connected to the connector 18.

The connector 16 has various actuators 3
, And various sensors 4 are connected to the connector 17. For example, when the ECU 1 is used for controlling the EFI device, a solenoid is connected to the connector 16 as the actuator 3 and a TDC is connected to the connector 17.
A sensor, a water temperature sensor, an intake air temperature sensor, a throttle valve opening sensor, etc. are connected.

A signal input from the sensor 4 to the ECU 1 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 14 and then converted into a CP signal.
Captured by U10. The signal captured by the CPU 10 is
Based on the control data stored in the ROM 11 and the RAM 12, it is processed according to the program written in the ROM 11. An instruction signal is input to the driver 13 according to the processing result of the CPU 10, and the driver 13 supplies a current for driving the actuator 3 in response to the instruction signal.

In addition to the program, the ROM 11 also stores the identification code of the ECU 1, that is, the ECU-ID. Further, the RAM 12 stores the processing result of the CPU 10 as learning data or freeze data. This freeze data is data representing the engine operating state when a malfunction occurs.

As in the case of the ECU 1, the failure diagnosis device 2 for connecting to the ECU 1 to make a failure diagnosis has a CPU.
20, ROM 21, RAM 22, driver 23, A / D
A converter 24 and a communication interface 25 are provided. In addition, a keyboard 26 for inputting an instruction from an operator and a CPU are provided in the failure diagnosis device 2.
A display device 27 that displays the processing result of 20 is provided. The keyboard 26 is provided with general numeric keys, cursor movement keys, function keys to which functions unique to the present invention are assigned, and the like. A liquid crystal display panel (LCD) is suitable as the display device 27.

A test probe 6 is connected to the failure diagnosis device 2 in order to add a voltage / resistance measuring function and a constant voltage output function as a tester function. The voltage output from the driver 23 is supplied to the test probe 6, and the test probe 6 can supply a pseudo signal of the sensor to the ECU 1. On the other hand, the signal captured by the test probe 6 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 24 and taken into the CPU 20.

The communication interface 15 of the ECU 1 and the communication interface 25 of the failure diagnosing device 2 are connected via a cable 5 so that two-way digital communication can be performed between the CPUs 10 and 20.

The signal fetched from the ECU 1 and the signal obtained by the test probe 6 are stored in the ROM 21 and the RAM.
The processing is performed based on the control data stored in 22, and the processing result, that is, the failure diagnosis result is output to the display device 27. The failure diagnosis program is registered in the ROM 21. A plurality of types of failure diagnosis programs are prepared to enable failure diagnosis suitable for many vehicles.

The ROM 21 stores VIN and a selection program for selecting the optimum one from the plurality of failure diagnosis programs based on the VIN and the ECU-ID. In selecting the failure diagnosis program, the processing result is displayed on the display device 27 step by step based on the input from the keyboard 26, and then the processing is further advanced according to the input from the keyboard 26.
It is a machine method. The procedure for selecting the failure diagnosis program will be described later with reference to FIG.

It should be noted that the VIN may be added or changed with the production of the new model. For such a case, the VIN and the selection program may be stored in the ROM card 7 so that the data of the ROM card 7 can be taken into the CPU 20 from the ROM card interface 28. It should be noted that a ROM card can be used to add a fault diagnosis program.

The failure diagnosing device 2 can be connected to a personal computer (not shown), the failure diagnosing result can be stored in the personal computer, and can be output as printout data as required. It is also possible to connect the personal computer to a host computer of a vehicle manufacturer via a public line and supply the failure diagnosis result to the host computer. On the contrary, it is also possible to provide necessary information, for example, the updated (upgraded) version of the failure diagnosis program or the selected program from the host computer to the personal computer and the failure diagnosis device.

The failure diagnosis device 2 preferably has a built-in battery as a power source so that it can be carried away from the repair shop. This battery can also be supplied with power from the automobile battery via the socket of the writer. Ni-Cd
A rechargeable battery or the like is more preferable.

Next, the VIN used for selecting the failure diagnosis program will be described. The VIN is an identification code for distinguishing each vehicle from other vehicles, and is displayed on each vehicle by marking or other suitable method. The VIN corresponding to the ECU-ID is stored in the ROM 22 of the failure diagnosis device 2. That is, the same type of ECU
The VIN, which is information that can identify a specific vehicle group in which is mounted, is stored with the ECU-ID as a storage address.

A specific example of VIN stored in the ROM 22 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of VIN. In the figure, the first code a is the manufacturer code and the vehicle type, the second code b is the vehicle body and engine type, the third code c is the number of doors and the transmission type, and the fourth code is also present. d indicates a class.

Space e is a position where the check digit is input. That is, a number as a check digit of the VIN displayed on the vehicle is input to the space e by the operator's keyboard operation. This check digit is used to check for VIN input errors. The symbol f next to the check digit space e is the year of the vehicle, and the symbol g next to it is the production plant. The serial number is input to the last space h by the keyboard operation of the operator.

The ECU-ID stored in the ROM 11 of the ECU 1 is composed of, for example, 5-byte data, and each 1-byte data is a vehicle name, year, engine type, destination, and equipment type. And the like, respectively. This ECU-ID is an example, and the type of data can be appropriately increased or decreased.

Next, the operation of selecting the failure diagnosis program will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the display example of the display device of FIG. Note that, in FIG. 3, the operation of the operator is shown by adding the symbol OP.

In FIG. 3, in operation OP1, ECU1
And the failure diagnosis device 2 are connected, and the power of the failure diagnosis device 2 is turned on. In step S1, communication with the ECU is started. In step S2, E is read from the ROM 11 of the ECU 1.
Read out the CU-ID. In step S3, the read E
The CU-ID is displayed on the display device 27 (display example: FIG. 4).
a). In this display example, the vehicle name, destination, engine type, and transmission type are shown as the ECU-ID.

In step S4, a candidate for the VIN mounting the ECU 1 is read from the ROM 21 using the ECU-ID as a search key. In step S5, the read VIN candidates are displayed on the display device 27 (display example:
Figure 4b). In this display example, two types of VIN candidates are shown.

In operation OP2, the cursor movement key of the keyboard 26 is operated to select the corresponding VIN from this VIN candidate.
Is selected, and the execute key included in the keyboard 26 is pressed.
When there is only one corresponding VIN, only confirmation is performed and the execute key is pressed. In step S6, only the selected VIN is displayed on the display device 27 (display example: FIG. 4c).

In operation OP3, the serial number is input from the keyboard 26 according to the marking of the vehicle. Step S7
Then, in response to the key input, the serial number is displayed on the display device 2.
7 (display example: FIG. 4d). In operation OP4, a check digit is input from the keyboard 26 according to the marking of the vehicle.

In step S8, in response to the key input,
The check digit is displayed on the display device 27 (display example:
Figure 4e). In step S9, the input check digit is compared with the numeral as the comparison data stored in the ROM 21. If the comparison results are in agreement, the process proceeds to step S10, the VIN of the display example shown in FIG. 4e is read into the work area, and the failure diagnosis program is selected based on this VIN. After that, for example, a message such as "VIN input OK" is output to the display device 27 to display that the failure diagnosis is possible.

On the other hand, if the determination in step S9 is negative, the process returns to step S2 and VIN re-input processing is performed.

When the display that the failure diagnosis is possible is displayed, the failure diagnosis device 2 checks the operation of the ECU 1 to perform the failure diagnosis. If necessary, a pseudo signal of the sensor can be input from the test probe 6 to check the operation. Since the failure diagnosis operation is not directly related to the present invention, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG. 1, the function of the failure diagnosis apparatus for performing the above-mentioned failure diagnosis program selection operation will be described.

In FIG. 1, the VIN storage unit 29 has an EC
The VIN classified according to the U-ID is stored.
The ECU-ID identification unit 30 extracts the ECU-ID from the data supplied from the ECU 1. ECU extracted
-ID is supplied to the VIN storage unit 29, and this ECU-I
Using D as a search key, the corresponding VIN is read from the VIN stored in the VIN storage unit 29 to the storage area 31 as the work area.

The VIN read in the work area 31 is transferred to the display control unit 32, converted into image data, and then output to the display device 27.

The VIN instruction section 33 outputs an instruction signal for selecting a VIN candidate in accordance with an instruction by the cursor movement key or the execution key of the keyboard 26. The VIN storage unit 29 outputs the corresponding VIN to the work area 31 using this instruction signal as a search key. As a result, the contents of the work area 31 are revised, and only one VIN is displayed on the display device 27.

A serial number and a check digit are added to the VIN thus determined. The data adding unit 34 takes in data input from the keyboard 26, that is, a serial number and a check digit, and adds the data to the VIN read in the work area 31.

The check digit comparison unit 35 compares the check digit of VIN stored in the work area 31 with the check digit stored in the VIN storage unit 29 to detect a match / mismatch between them. If they do not match, a mismatch signal is sent to the work area 31 and the ECU-
It is output to the ID identification unit 30. In response to this mismatch signal, the work area 31 is cleared, and the ECU-ID identification unit 30 starts the operation of detecting the ECU-ID again.

On the other hand, if the check digits match, a match signal is supplied to the work area 31. In response to this coincidence signal, the stored content, that is, VIN, is read from the work area 31 and supplied to the failure diagnosis program storage unit 36. The VIN read from the work area 31 serves as a search key for searching one program from the failure diagnosis program storage unit 36. The failure diagnosis program read by this search key is output to a work area for failure diagnosis and used for failure diagnosis.

Of the VIN, the serial number is not used as a search key for detecting the failure diagnosis program. The failure diagnosis and repair results are transmitted to the host computer of the vehicle manufacturer for use, and this serial number is used when the cause of failure is investigated and analyzed based on the result.

As described above, in this embodiment, the ECU-I
The failure diagnosis program can be selected by both D and VIN.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the failure diagnosis can be performed by the diagnosis program that matches the vehicle and the ECU, so that the accurate failure diagnosis can be executed.

In addition, when the operator inputs only the serial number when inputting the VIN, erroneous input can be prevented by the check tegit digit in the subsequent procedure, so that the operation is simple.

When the cause of failure is analyzed based on the failure diagnosis result, information such as the vehicle type, destination, production year, production plant, etc. of the defective vehicle can be accurately grasped, and detailed defect data for each vehicle can be collected. It will be easier.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a main part of a failure diagnosis device showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a failure diagnosis device and an ECU.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a failure diagnosis program selection operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing VIN displayed on a display device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of VIN.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... ECU, 2 ... Failure diagnosis device, 6 ... Test probe, 26 ... Keyboard, 27 ... Display device, 29 ... V
IN storage unit, 30 ... ECU-ID identification unit, 31 ... Work area, 33 ... VIN instruction unit, 34 ... Data addition unit, 36 ... Failure diagnosis program storage unit 36

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Taka Sato, 1-4-1, Chuo, Wako-shi, Saitama, Ltd. Honda R & D Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A failure diagnosis for an automobile, which is connected to an electronic control unit mounted on a vehicle and configured to diagnose a failure of the electronic control unit and its peripheral devices by communicating with the electronic control unit. In the device, a VIN storage means in which a vehicle identification code is stored in association with the electronic control apparatus identification code, and the vehicle identification code is displayed based on the electronic control apparatus identification code input from the electronic control apparatus. And a failure diagnosis program selection means for selecting one of a plurality of failure diagnosis programs using the vehicle identification code as a search key in response to a confirmation signal of the vehicle identification code displayed on the display means. A failure diagnosis device for an automobile, comprising: