Description:Complete Specification:
The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention:
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a diagnostic device for diagnosing plurality of sensors of an electric machine and a method thereof.

Background of the invention:
[0002] Currently, working condition of Hall sensors and Thermal sensors are checked using a multimeter. The resistance of the thermal sensor and voltages of the hall sensors are measured manually and noted as OK or Not OK (NOK). The same activity of measuring using the multimeter is repeated n times depending on the number of sensors available in an electrical machine. For example, if in a hub motor there are three hall sensors and one temperature sensor, then the multimeter is used one time to check thermal sensor and three times to check hall sensors, then marked as OK or NOK in a notepad. Further, the operator must remember the threshold values to decide whether the sensor is OK or NOK. In addition, the use of multimeter makes the cable connection very cumbersome, untidy and complex.

[0003] Hence, there is a need for a simple tool/device which can efficiently diagnose hall and thermal sensor and other sensors of the electric machine.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings:
[0004] An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawing,
[0005] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of diagnostic device for diagnosing plurality of sensors of an electric machine, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and
[0006] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for diagnosing a plurality of sensors of an electric machine, according to the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:
[0007] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of diagnostic device for diagnosing plurality of sensors of an electric machine, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The diagnostic device 100 comprises a controller 110 connected to a power source 114 through voltage regulating circuits. An input interface 108 is in electronic communication with the controller 110. The input interface 108 enables reception of plurality of input signals for processing by the controller 110. The diagnostic device 100 comprises an output interface 104 in electronic communication with the controller 110. The output interface 104 enables providing of output data from the controller 110. The output data is obtained after processing the input signals, characterized in that, the controller 110 is electrically connectable to the plurality of sensors 120 through a single connection between the input interface 108 and a connector (not shown) of the plurality of sensors 120 of the electric machine 126. The diagnosis of the plurality of sensors 120 is facilitated through the single connection. The input interface 108 and the plurality of sensors 120 are connected with each other through a male connector and a female connector.

[0008] The controller 110 comprises input interface 108, output interface 104 having pins or ports, memory element 106 such as Random Access Memory (RAM) and/or Read Only Memory (ROM), Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) and vice-versa Digital-to-Analog Convertor (DAC), clocks, timers and at least one processor (capable of implementing machine learning) connected with each other and to other components through communication bus channels or suitable wirings. The input interface 108 and output interface 104 are shown to be on different side, but are possible to be on same side. The memory element 106 is pre-stored with logics or instructions or programs or applications and/or voltage values, look-up table, parameter range, which is/are accessed by the at least one processor as per the defined routines. The internal components of the controller 110 are not explained for being state of the art, and the same must not be understood in a limiting manner. The controller 110 may also comprise communication units to communicate with a server or cloud through wireless or wired means such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), 3G, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, serial networks, and the like for processing of collected data.

[0009] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of sensors 120 comprises at least one temperature sensor 116 and at least one hall sensor 118, 122, 124. In order to diagnose the plurality of sensors 120, the controller 110 configured to measure an electrical parameter of the connected plurality of sensors 120, compare the measured electrical parameter with parameter range pre-stored in the memory element 106 of the controller 110, and diagnose the plurality of sensors 120 based on result of the comparison. The electrical parameter is resistance for temperature sensor 116 and voltage for the hall sensors 118, 122, 124. For diagnosing the temperature sensor 116, the measured resistance is converted to voltage using a voltage converter (not shown), and the obtained voltage is referred in a look-up table or map in the memory element 106 to check for the corresponding pre-stored voltage values.

[0010] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, a keypad (not shown) is connected to the input interface 108. The keypad is usable for setting calibration/range data for plurality of sensors 120 of a type of electric machine 126 before diagnosis test. Further, the electric machine 126 is any one of an electric motor/generator such as hub motor. In addition, a diagnosis result is provided through the output interface 104 to an output unit comprising at least one of a display screen, an audio unit and a light indicator.

[0011] In accordance to an embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic device 100 is for electrical machine 126 used in vehicle or other equipment such as comprising a two-wheeler such as a motorcycle, a moped, etc., a three-wheeler such as an Auto-rickshaw, a four-wheeler such as car, and other vehicles such as trucks, buses, snow mobiles, motorboats, and the like.

[0012] According to the present invention, a working of the diagnostic device 100 is explained. Consider a hub motor as the electric machine 126 is to be tested among a lot of hundred hub motors. The sensor cables 128 of the hub motor is taken and connected with the input interface 108 of the diagnostic device 100. A button 112 such as “enable/disable” or “ON/OFF” is pressed to start the diagnosis. Since with the single connection all the plurality of sensors 120 of the hub motor are connected to the diagnostic device 100, the diagnostic test starts immediately for all the plurality of sensors 120 on activation. The diagnostic device 100 is either powered by batteries or connected to a power socket. Once the diagnostic device 100 is switched ON, the controller 110 starts measuring the electrical parameter of the temperature sensor 116, i.e. the resistance. Once measured, the controller 110 converts the measured resistance to voltage and then refers to a table pre-stored in the memory element 106 and obtains the corresponding temperature. If the resistance/voltage is less than a minimum threshold value, then the controller 110 considers the same to be a fault and saves the result in the memory element 106. If the resistance/voltage of the temperature sensor 116 is above the threshold value, then the controller 110 provides the corresponding temperature from the table through the output interface 104.

[0013] Simultaneously while the temperature sensor 116 is being diagnosed, the rotor of the hub motor is rotated either manually or automatically. As the rotor is rotated, voltage is induced in the internal windings for each phase. The induced voltage is detected by respective hall sensor 118, 122, 124. The readings are measured by the controller 110, which is then compared with respective voltage range pre-stored in the memory element 106. If the values are within the voltage range, then the plurality of sensors 120 are considered to be without fault, otherwise the specific hall sensor 118, 122, 124 is determined to be faulty.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates a method for diagnosing a plurality of sensors of an electric machine, according to the present invention. The method is characterized by plurality of steps of which a step 202 comprises connecting the plurality of sensors 120 of the electric machine 126, to the input interface 108 of the controller 110 of the diagnostic device 100. A single connection between the input interface 108 and the plurality of sensors 120 enables faster and quick processing of signals. A step 204 comprises measuring the electrical parameter for each of the plurality of sensors 120 of the electric machine. The electrical parameter is resistance for temperature sensor 116 and voltage for the hall sensor 118, 122, 124. A step 206 comprises comparing the measured electrical parameter with the corresponding parameter range pre-stored in the memory element 106 of the controller 110. A step 208 comprises diagnosing the plurality of sensors 120 based on result of the comparison. The diagnosis result is provided through the output interface 104 to an output unit comprising at least one of the display screen, the audio unit, the light indicator and the like. The steps in the method are executed by the controller 110

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the diagnostic device 100 is provisioned with provisioned to measure dielectric strength, to measure insulation or isolation resistance. Further, other types of sensors, such as throttle position sensor, pressure sensor, engine speed sensor and the like are equally possible to be diagnosed using the diagnostic device 100 by measurement of resistance.

[0016] According to the present invention, a quick check portable diagnostic device 100/tool for in-hub motor or different/other types of motor/generator or central drive is provided. The diagnostic device 100 enables a quick, simple means to diagnose electric machines 126 in short span of time. The results are saved in the memory element 106 for future retrieval and usage. The power source 114 is either an internal battery for cordless diagnostic device 100 or external supply for corded diagnostic device 100. The diagnostic device 100 is usable for measurement of winding resistance as well. The data stored in the memory element 106 is possible to be extracted out to computer or accessible on server through wired/wireless transmission.

[0017] It should be understood that embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this invention. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.
, Claims:We claim:
1. A diagnostic device (100) for diagnosing plurality of sensors (120) of an electric machine, said diagnostic device (100) comprises:
a controller (110) connected to a power source (114),
an input interface (108) in electronic communication with said controller (110), said input interface (108) enables reception of plurality of input signals for processing by said controller (110) , and
an output interface (104) in electronic communication with the controller (110), said output interface (104) enables providing of output data from said controller (110), said output data is obtained after processing said input signals, characterized in that,
said controller (110) electrically connectable to said plurality of sensors (120) through a single connection between said input interface (108) and a connector of said plurality of sensors (120) of said electric machine, wherein diagnosis of said plurality of sensors (120) is facilitated through said single connection.

2. The diagnostic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors (120) comprises at least one temperature sensor (116) and at least one hall sensor (118, 122, 124), wherein to diagnose said plurality of sensors (120), said controller (110) configured to,
measure an electrical parameter of said plurality of sensors (120);
compare said measured electrical parameter with respective parameter range pre-stored in a memory element (106) of said controller (110), and
diagnose said plurality of sensors (120) based on result of said comparison, wherein said electrical parameter is resistance for temperature sensor (116) and voltage for said hall sensor (118).

3. The diagnostic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a keypad is connected with said input interface (108), said keypad is usable for setting calibration data for plurality of sensors (120) of a type of electric machine before diagnosis.

4. The diagnostic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said input interface (108) and said plurality of sensors (120) are connected with each other through a male connector and a female connector.

5. The diagnostic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electric machine is any one of an electric motor/generator.

6. The diagnostic device (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a resistance to voltage converter is used for said temperature sensor (116) before the input interface (108).

7. The diagnostic device (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a diagnosis result is provided through said output interface (104) to an output unit comprising at least one of a display screen, an audio unit and a light indicator.

8. A method for diagnosing a plurality of sensors (120) of an electric machine, characterized by, said method comprising the steps of:
connecting said plurality of sensors (120) of said electric machine, to an input interface (108) of a controller (110) of a diagnostic device (100),
measuring an electrical parameter for each of said plurality of sensors (120) of said electric machine;
comparing said measured electrical parameter with a parameter range pre-stored in a memory element (106) of said controller (110, and
diagnosing said plurality of sensors (120) based on result of said comparison.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said electrical parameter is resistance for temperature sensor (116) and voltage for said hall sensor (118, 122, 124).

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said diagnosis result is provided through said output interface (104) to an output unit comprising at least one of a display screen, an audio unit, a light indicator.