Claims:We Claim:

1. A method (10) for predicting failure of plunger return spring in fuel injection pumps in automobiles, the method comprising:
receiving (105) sensory information by an electronic control unit from an output port of an automobile, the sensory information pertaining to engine parameters;
processing (110) the received sensory information at predefined time intervals, by the electronic control unit to determine fatigue based failure of the plunger return spring in the automobile; and
transmitting (115) an alert to an output device by the electronic control unit, the alert pertaining to failure of the plunger return spring in the automobile, based on the processing of the received sensory information.

2. The method (10) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the electronic control unit is a telematics unit.

3. The method (10) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the engine parameters are at least one of engine speed, cam lift and engine-pump ratio.

4. The method (10) as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the output device is at least one of a display and an alarm.

5. An electronic control unit for predicting failure of plunger return spring in fuel injection pumps in automobiles, the electronic control unit adapted to:
receive sensory information from an output port of an automobile, the sensory information pertaining to engine parameters;
process received sensory information at predefined time intervals, to determine fatigue based failure of plunger return spring in injection pumps in the automobile; and
transmit an alert to an output device, the alert pertaining to failure of the plunger return spring in the automobile, based on the processing of the received sensory information.

6. The electronic control unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the engine parameters are at least one of engine speed, cam lift and engine-pump ratio.

7. The electronic control unit as claimed in claim 5, wherein the output device is at least one of a display and an alarm.
, 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] This invention relates to prediction methods for failure of automobile components, and specifically for plunger return springs in fuel injection pumps in automobiles.

Background of the invention
[0002] Mechanical wear and tear of components in general is inevitable and is very crucial in cases where people use the components or the system containing the components regularly. During use, any wear and tear of the components or sub parts in the components can result in machine failure or stoppage abruptly. Abrupt or sudden stoppages of machines can be detrimental to the user. The same is applicable for vehicles as well. Any stoppage due to the failure of any component in the car can lead to serious accidents as well. The failure of the components can be caused by wear and tear over time. Any technique to predict the wear and tear will be useful.

Brief description of the accompanying drawing
[0003] Figure 1 illustrates a schematic of a method 10 for predicting failure of plunger return spring in fuel injection pumps in automobiles.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0004] Figure 1 discloses a method 10 for predicting failure of plunger return spring in injection pumps in automobiles. The method 10 comprises a first step 105 of receiving sensory information by an electronic control unit from an output port of an automobile, the sensory information pertaining to engine parameters, a second step 110 of processing the received sensory information at predefined time intervals, by the electronic control unit to determine fatigue based failure of the plunger return spring in injection pumps in the automobile and a third step 115 of transmitting an alert to an output device by the electronic control unit, the alert pertaining to failure of the plunger return spring in injection pumps in the automobile, based on the processing of the received sensory information. In an exemplary arrangement, the electronic control unit can be a telematics unit or any similar unit usable in the automobile. The automobile referred to herein can be a passenger vehicle or commercial vehicle. The engine parameters are at least one of engine speed, cam lift and engine-pump ratio.

[0005] The electronic control unit for predicting failure of plunger return spring in injection pumps in automobiles is adapted to receive sensory information from an output port of an automobile, the sensory information pertaining to engine parameters, process received sensory information at predefined time intervals to determine fatigue based failure of plunger return spring in injection pumps in the automobile and transmit an alert to an output device, the alert pertaining to failure of the plunger return spring in injection pumps in the automobile based on the processing of the received sensory information. As described earlier, the engine parameters are at least one of engine speed, cam lift and engine-pump ratio. The output device can be at least one of a display and an alarm.

[0006] As described above, the parameters like engine speed, cam lift and engine-pump ratio are acquired by the use of relevant sensors such as a speed sensor. The parameters are acquired continuously over a period of time or at regular intervals which are predefined. The processing of the acquired information occurs in the electronic control unit.

[0007] The processing of the information also includes comparing the processed results against a threshold that is predefined. The alert can be auditory or visual and indicates to the driver or the owner of the automobile that the concerned components have to be replaced or repaired to avoid any issue with the automobile.
[0008] The calculation is performed accordingly:

Number of pump revolutions (spring strokes) for a particular bin(s) = (eprm * a *i*nc)/(60 *f)

Total no. of revolutions (spring strokes) (Ts) covered by vehicle = ? s
? s = Summation of spring strokes from all the rpm bins

Spring fatigue strength estimation:
Failure probability (fb) = [1-Ts/Ns ]*100

Inputs from Telematics:
Engine speed (erpm) bins created in steps of 100 rpms till fly-up speed
Inputs from telematics no. occurrences for each rpm bins (a)
Data acquisition frequency (f)
Drive ratio (i) = Engine speed / Pump speed …..Input in telematics
No. cam lobes (nc) / cam shaft ………….Input in telematics
Designed no. of spring strokes : Ns ………Input in telematics

[0009] The advantage of the prediction method described above is that serious issues or accidents due to the malfunctioning of the engine in the automobile can be reduced.

[0010] 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.