DESC:FORM 2

THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(See Section 10 and Rule 13)

Title of invention:

A SYSTEM FOR TESTING AUTOMOBILE ELECTRONIC CONTROLLER

Applicant:
M/S BEML LIMITED
An Indian Company,
Having Address As:
BEML Soudha, 23/1, 4th Main,
Sampangirama Nagar, Bengaluru,
Karnataka - 560 027, India

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present invention claims priority from Indian patent application numbered IN 202041018616 filed on 30th April 2020.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to a performance testing system of ECU (Electronic Control Unit).
BACKGROUND
[003] Modern vehicles are equipped with ECU (Electronic Control Unit) which control vehicle’s parameters & electric components, etc. A vehicle diagnostic system plays important role to determine malfunctions of vehicle’s sub units. Therefore, to evaluate a performance of vehicle’s ECU, testing of ECU is a vital process.
[004] It is difficult to perform unit wise testing operations on heavy vehicles because of complexity of heavy vehicles. In general, test engineer follows sectional manual testing which leads to low precision and long test durations. In addition, it is not possible to perform all test cases or programs by taking readings and then making calculations. When the vehicle is at stationary, one can perform static performance testing, but it becomes necessary to conduct dynamic testing in order to get continuous real time performance data, which was not possible by conventional methods.
[005] Hence, to carry out performance testing of heavy vehicle there is a need of system, which performs various test cases or programs to detect malfunctioning.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[006] The main object of the present invention is to provide a system for testing automobile electronic controller
[007] Another object of the present invention is to check performance of vehicle’s ECU and sensor connections details related to engine and vehicle side harness.
[008] It is an object of the present invention to indicate and display the faults in the system and monitor the engine data.
SUMMARY
[009] Before the present system and method are described, it is to be understood that this application is not limited to the particular machine or an apparatus, and methodologies described, as there can be multiple possible embodiments that are not expressly illustrated in the present disclosures. It is also to be understood that the terminology used in the description is for the purpose of describing the particular versions or embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present application. This summary is provided to a performance testing system of ECU (Electronic Control Unit) and the aspects are further elaborated below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the proposed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the proposed subject matter.
[0010] The present subject matter discloses an ECU test setup for vehicle’s ECU performance testing. The system is configured with ECU, sensors and vehicle wire harness in order to detect malfunctioning of the unit controlled through vehicle’s ECU. The system performs static and dynamic performance testing by making various configurations with ECU, sensors and wire harness.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0011] Accordingly, the present invention discloses a system for testing automobile electronic controller unit comprising of an ECU Intest unit (9) configured for testing of vehicle ECU (10) and sensors installed in the vehicle, a vehicle wire harness (11) configured to be connected to ECU Intest unit (9), a portable device (12) configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) to display the test data and plurality of connector cables configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) from the vehicle wire harness (11) and vehicle ECU (10).
[0012] The system is configured for testing and verifying the continuity of vehicle wire harness (11) and installed sensors. The system is configured to perform dynamic testing of the vehicle ECU (10) and store the test results on local memory of the vehicle ECU (10). The plurality of connector cables are configured to be first connector cable (1), second connector cable (2), third connector cable (3), fourth connector cable (4), fifth connector cable (5), sixth connector cable (6), seventh connector cable (7) and network interface cable (8). The system is configured to be operated in regulated test mode, installation test mode and online monitoring mode. The ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) to check the functioning of the vehicle ECU (10) in regulated test mode. The ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle’s ECU (10) through the fourth pin connector cable (4) to provide signals from diagnostic port of the vehicle ECU (10) in online monitoring mode. The ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) and through the sixth connector cable (6) to verify the sensor connection to vehicle harness and continuity of sensors in installation test mode. The portable device (12) is configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) through the network interface cable (8) to display the test results. The portable devices (12) are configured from laptops or Desktop PC.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the present document example constructions of the disclosure, however, the disclosure is not limited to the specific methods and apparatus disclosed in the document and the drawing:
[0014] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawing to refer like features and components.
[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of the vehicle ECU testing setup.
[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a setup of regulator test to check the functioning of the ECU.
[0017] Figure 3 illustrates an installation test setup for verification of the vehicle harness and the sensors connection.
[0018] Figure 4 illustrates an online monitoring setup to read the test data from diagnostic port of the vehicle ECU.
[0019] The figure depicts various embodiments of the present disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Some embodiments of this disclosure, illustrating all its features, will now be discussed in detail. The words "comprising", “having”, and "including," and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items. Although any systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present disclosure, the exemplary, systems and methods are now described. The disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which may be embodied in various forms.
[0021] Various modifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied to other embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments illustrated, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
[0022] The present subject matter discloses a testing device and system comprising an ECU InTest (9), a first connector cable (1), a second connector cable (2), a third connector cable (3), a fourth connector cable (4), a fifth connector cable (5), a sixth connector cable (6), a seventh connector cable (7), a network interfacing cable (8), a vehicle ECU (10) and a portable device (12). The system performs regulator testing in order to check the functioning of the vehicle ECU (10). In regulator testing the program gets simulated and required data from the vehicle ECU (10) is acquired. In the installation testing, verification of the vehicle harness and sensors are tested in order to ensure detection of all the installed sensors and checking the continuity of the sensors with the vehicle harness. The system performs dynamic testing of the vehicle ECU (10), wherein the test results are stored on local memory of the vehicle ECU. The diagnostic port of the vehicle ECU (10) is connected to the ECU InTest (9) to get the testing information without interrupting the vehicle ECU (10) normal operations.
[0023] Referring now to figure 1, in one aspect of present subject matter, discloses a system for testing of ECU and sensors installed in vehicle comprising of an ECU Intest unit (9), vehicle ECU (10), vehicle wire harness (11) and a portable device (12) wherein, ECU Intest unit (9) mounted intermediately between vehicle ECU (10) and vehicle wire harness (11) such that the commands from the ECU (10) are transferred through the ECU Intest unit (9) to the vehicle wire harness (11) and vice versa for testing of ECU and sensors. The ECU InTest (9) is connected to the vehicle ECU (10) through connector cable (1,2,3,4) for interfacing the vehicle ECU (10) to the ECU Intest unit (9) and testing the vehicle ECU (10). The ECU Intest unit (9) is connected to vehicle wire harness (11) through connector cable (5,6) for testing the sensors installed in the vehicle. The ECU Intest unit (9) is connected to a portable device (12) by network interfacing cable (8) for displaying the test results. The portable device (12) is any display unit, laptop or desktop PC to display the test data. The ECU Intest unit (9) is connected to cigarette lighter connector through connector cable (7). The system is configured to be operated in various modes viz: regulator test mode, installation test mode and online monitoring mode.
[0024] Referring to figure 2, the system is operated in regulator test mode wherein, the vehicle’s ECU (10) is connected to the ECU InTest (9) through connector cable (1,2,3,4), further the ECU InTest (9) is connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) in order to check the functioning of the vehicle ECU (10). The portable device (12) is connected to the ECU InTest (9) through network interfacing cable (8) in order to display the regulator test mode test results.
[0025] Referring to figure 3, the system is operated in installation test mode wherein, the ECU InTest (9) is connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) and through the sixth connector cable (6) in order to verify the sensor connection to vehicle harness and availability of sensors. The portable device (12) is connected to the ECU InTest (9) through network interfacing cable (8) in order to display the installation test mode test results.
[0026] Referring to figure 4, the system is operated in online monitoring mode wherein, the ECU InTest (9) is connected to the vehicle’s ECU (10) through the fourth pin connector cable (4) in order to read diagnostic port of the vehicle ECU (10), wherein the tested parameters are stored on a local memory of vehicle’s ECU (10). The portable device (12) is connected to the ECU InTest (9) through network interfacing cable (8) in order to display the online monitoring test mode test results.
[0027] A system for testing automobile electronic controller unit is configured for testing and verifying the continuity of vehicle wire harness (11) and installed sensors. The system is configured to perform dynamic testing of the vehicle ECU (10) and store the test results on local memory of the vehicle ECU (10). The plurality of connector cables are configured to be first connector cable (1), second connector cable (2), third connector cable (3), fourth connector cable (4), fifth connector cable (5), sixth connector cable (6), seventh connector cable (7) and network interface cable (8). The system is configured to be operated in regulated test mode, installation test mode and online monitoring mode. The ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) to check the functioning of the vehicle ECU (10) in regulated test mode. The ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle’s ECU (10) through the fourth pin connector cable (4) to provide signals from diagnostic port of the vehicle ECU (10) in online monitoring mode. The ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) and through the sixth connector cable (6) to verify the sensor connection to vehicle harness and continuity of sensors in installation test mode. The portable device (12) is configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) through the network interface cable (8) to display the test results. The portable devices (12) are configured from laptops or desktop PC or screens or tabs or mobile phones or any other display device.
[0028] Exemplary embodiments discussed above may provide certain advantages. Though not required to practice aspects of the disclosure, these advantages may include those provided by the following features.
[0029] Some object of the present invention is suitable for performing the static performance testing of ECU.
[0030] Some object of the present invention is suitable for performing the dynamic performance testing of the vehicle ECU to monitor real time data.
[0031] Some object of the present invention is suitable to monitor the engine data and indicates the faults.
[0032] REFERRAL NUMERALS
Element Description Reference Numeral
First connector cable 1
Second connector cable 2
Third connector cable 3
Fourth connector cable 4
Fifth connector cable 5
Sixth connector cable 6
Seventh connector cable 7
Network interfacing cable 8
ECU Intest unit 9
Vehicle ECU 10
Vehicle wire harness 11
Portable device 12
,CLAIMS:1. A system for testing automobile electronic controller unit comprises of:
an ECU Intest unit (9) configured for testing of vehicle ECU (10) and sensors installed in vehicle;
a vehicle wire harness (11) configured to be connected to ECU Intest unit (9);
a portable device (12) configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) to display the test data; and
plurality of connector cables configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) from the vehicle wire harness (11) and vehicle ECU (10).

2. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is configured for testing and verifying the continuity of vehicle wire harness (11) and installed sensors.

3. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is configured to perform dynamic testing of the vehicle ECU (10) and store the test results on local memory of the vehicle ECU (10).

4. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of connector cables are configured from a first connector cable (1), a second connector cable (2), a third connector cable (3), a fourth connector cable (4), a fifth connector cable (5), a sixth connector cable (6), a seventh connector cable (7) and a network interface cable (8).

5. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said system is configured to be operated in regulated test mode, installation test mode and online monitoring mode.

6. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) to check the functioning of the vehicle ECU (10) in regulated test mode.

7. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle wire harness (11) through the fifth connector cable (5) and through the sixth connector cable (6) to verify the sensor connection to vehicle harness and continuity of sensors in installation test mode.

8. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ECU InTest (9) is configured to be connected to the vehicle’s ECU (10) through the fourth pin connector cable (4) to provide signals from diagnostic port of the vehicle ECU (10) in online monitoring mode.

9. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable device (12) is configured to be connected to the ECU Intest unit (9) through the network interface cable (8) to display the test results.

10. The system for testing automobile electronic controller unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein said portable device (12) are configured from laptops or desktop PC.