DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter relates to a control unit of a vehicle, more particularly, an auxiliary control unit for performing vehicle diagnostics.
BACKGROUND
[002] A vehicle in recent times has become an essential part of human lives on a day to day basis. Therefore, regular maintenance and overhauling of the vehicle is required for efficient functioning of the vehicle. Hence an improved vehicle health and diagnostic monitoring is required.
[003] In conventional vehicles, a vehicle electronic control unit is configured to perform vehicle diagnostics. The vehicle electronic unit monitors health of an engine of the vehicle and determines the health and working conditions of one or more vehicle sensors.
[004] However, in present times there is a need to monitor health and working condition of an exhaust system of the vehicle in order to monitor and reduce the amount of pollutants being released from the vehicle. The conventional vehicle control unit is not equipped to perform such exhaustive health monitoring of the exhaust system.
[005] In order to perform such additional vehicle health diagnostics, three or four different electronic control units are connected with the vehicle to monitor the health of the exhaust system of the vehicle. However, addition of three or more electronic control units requires different logic to be embedded and also becomes a complex design which in turn increases the overall cost of the vehicle.
[006] Additionally, in such a configuration, the existing vehicle electronic control unit has to be reconfigured to align with three or more different electronic control units and thereby leads to complexity of design, usage of higher quantities of wiring harness and also lack of usable space in the vehicle.
[007] Additionally, assembly of three or more individual electronic control units would not only increase the overall assembly time of the vehicle but also will increase the servicing time and overall overhauling time.
[008] Moreover, if the logic codes of the three or more electronic control units performing additional vehicle diagnostic, are embedded into the existing vehicle control unit, then it increases the logic complexity of the electronic control unit.
[009] Additionally, each vehicle electronic control unit is embedded with different logic codes to give specific vehicle performance. However, if the additional vehicle diagnostic logic is also embedded into the existing vehicle control unit, then it has to be customized with respect to each and every different vehicle. Hence, such a configuration is expensive and also a time-consuming process.

SUMMARY
[010] The present invention is a control system of a vehicle comprising a vehicle control unit being configured to perform vehicle diagnostics. An auxiliary control unit being configured to perform auxiliary vehicle diagnostics, upon receiving one or more vehicle inputs, in conjunction with the vehicle control unit. The auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection. The auxiliary control unit being configured to simultaneously detect and calculate the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics and transmit the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output on an external port of a diagnostic device for exhaustive health monitoring of a vehicle exhaust system and also for quick resolution of faulty parts of the exhaust system.
[011] As per one aspect of the present invention, a control system comprising a vehicle control unit for performing vehicle diagnostics and an auxiliary control unit configured for performing auxiliary vehicle diagnostics in conjunction with the vehicle control unit, upon receiving one or more vehicle inputs from one or more sensors of the vehicle. The auxiliary vehicle diagnostics are an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection. The auxiliary control unit configured to simultaneously detect and calculate the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics, and the auxiliary control unit configured to transmit auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output on an external port of a diagnostic device. The auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being calculated upon comparison with a predetermined auxiliary vehicle diagnostics values, by the auxiliary control unit.
[012] As per an embodiment, the auxiliary control unit is configured to communicate with the vehicle control unit using a detachable communication connection. The one or more vehicle inputs being an engine speed, a throttle position value, an ion current value, a lambda sensor value and a manifold air pressure value being detected by the one or more sensors of the vehicle, and the one or more vehicle inputs being one of an analog and a digital input.
[013] As per another embodiment, the auxiliary control unit is configured to communicate to the vehicle through a transceiver, and the transceiver is configured to communicate to the external port of the diagnostic device through a CAN communication. The transceiver is further configured to communicate to the vehicle control unit in conjunction with the auxiliary control unit.
[014] As per another embodiment, the engine misfire detection by the auxiliary control unit occurs after the auxiliary control unit determines whether a spark event has been triggered by an ignition coil input, and the ignition coil input is determined by the one or more sensors.
[015] As per another embodiment, the lambda sensor ageing detection by the auxiliary control unit occurs when the auxiliary control unit receives the lambda sensor input at a predetermined engine rpm.
[016] As per another embodiment, the catalyst converter ageing detection by the auxiliary control unit occurs when the auxiliary control unit compares an input value received from a first catalytic converter and a second catalytic converter with a predetermined first catalytic converter and a second catalytic converter input values respectively.
[017] As per another aspect of the present invention, a method of performing auxiliary vehicle diagnostics by a control system of a vehicle comprising the following steps. Firstly, receiving one or more vehicle inputs from one or more vehicle sensors by an auxiliary control unit. Secondly, calibrating the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics by the auxiliary control unit in conjunction with a vehicle control unit through a transceiver based on the one or more vehicle inputs to generate auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output. Thirdly, transmitting the one or more auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output to an external port, and the external port is disposed on a diagnostic device, and the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output is displayed on a display panel of the diagnostic device. Fourthly, displaying an alert on a display window of an instrument cluster of the vehicle upon receiving the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output by the auxiliary control unit.
[018] As per an embodiment, the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection, and the one or more vehicle inputs being an engine speed, a throttle position value, an ion current value, a lambda sensor value and a manifold air pressure value being detected by the one or more sensors of the vehicle, and the one or more vehicle inputs being one of an analog and a digital input.
[019] As per another embodiment, the engine misfire detection occurs through the following steps. Firstly, capturing an ignition coil input to trigger a spark event by the auxiliary control unit. Secondly, determining the trigger spark event is activated by the auxiliary control unit. Thirdly, setting the ion current value to a threshold ion current value by the auxiliary control unit, and then capturing the ion current signal value by incrementing count of the ion current signal value for creating a sample size by the auxiliary control unit. Further, determining the ion current value being greater than a threshold ion current value by the auxiliary control unit, and then incrementing the count of the ion current value for a peak value by the auxiliary control unit. Furthermore, determining the count of the ion current value being greater than 100 by the auxiliary control unit, and then concluding occurrence of a misfire condition by the auxiliary control unit and indicating the misfire detected to the external port of the diagnostic device by the auxiliary control unit.
[020] As per another embodiment, the lambda sensor ageing detection occurs through the following steps. Firstly, collecting plurality of the engine speed and the manifold air pressure value of the one or more vehicle inputs by the auxiliary control unit, and then determining an operating condition being met by the auxiliary control unit, and the operating condition being the engine speed and the manifold air pressure value being less than a threshold engine speed and a threshold manifold air pressure value. Secondly, receiving plurality of values from the lambda sensor by the auxiliary control unit, and then comparing the plurality of values from the lambda sensor with a threshold lambda sensor value by the auxiliary control unit and transmitting the compared value on the external port of the diagnostic device. Finally, determining the lambda sensor value being greater than said threshold lambda sensor value by the auxiliary control unit, and then activating a malfunction indication of the lambda sensor ageing by the auxiliary control unit, and the lambda sensor value being determined at a predetermined engine rpm.
[021] As per another embodiment, the catalytic converter ageing detection occurs through the following steps. Firstly, collecting plurality of the engine speed and throttle position value of the one or more vehicle inputs by the auxiliary control unit, and then determining an operating condition being met by the auxiliary control unit, the operating condition being the engine speed and the throttle position value being less than a predetermined engine speed and a predetermined throttle position value. Secondly, triggering a test for catalyst age monitoring by the auxiliary control unit, and the test for catalyst age monitoring being analyzing and comparing output values from a first catalytic converter and a second catalytic converter. Thirdly, measuring a phase shift between the output values from the first catalytic converter and the second catalytic converter by the auxiliary control unit, and then quantifying the phase shift into an age parameter of the catalytic converter by the auxiliary control unit and then displaying the age parameter on the external port of the diagnostic device. Finally, determining the age parameter being greater than a threshold age parameter by the auxiliary control unit, and then activating the malfunction indication of the catalytic converter ageing by the auxiliary control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPT ION OF THE DRAWINGS
[022] The present invention is described with reference to block diagrams and flowcharts. This invention is implementable in two-wheeled, three wheeled and four wheeled vehicles. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and components. Further, the inventive features of the invention are outlined in the appended claims.
[023] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional vehicle diagnostic system in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[024] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle diagnostic system to perform additional vehicle diagnostics in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[025] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of components of the vehicle diagnostic system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[026] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to detect and monitor misfiring of spark plug of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[027] Figure 5a illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to detect a lambda sensor ageing in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[028] Figure 5b illustrates a graphical representation to calibrate lambda sensor ageing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[029] Figure 6a illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to detect a catalytic converter ageing in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[030] Figure 6b illustrates a graphical representation calibrating the catalytic converter ageing in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[031] The present subject matter is described with reference to accompanying figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[032] The foregoing disclosure is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms or particular fields of use disclosed. As such, it is contemplated that various alternate embodiments and/or modifications to the present disclosure, whether explicitly described or implied herein, are possible in light of the disclosure. Having thus described embodiments of the present disclosure, a person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is limited only by the claims.
[033] Additionally, all numerical terms, such as, but not limited to, “first”, “second”, “third”, “primary”, “secondary”, “main” or any other ordinary and/or numerical terms, should also be taken only as identifiers, to assist the reader's understanding of the various elements, embodiments, variations and/or modifications of the present disclosure, and may not create any limitations, particularly as to the order, or preference, of any element, embodiment, variation and/or modification relative to, or over, another element, embodiment, variation and/or modification.
[034] Hence, it is an object of the present invention to overcome all the above stated and other related problems existing in the known arts, with respect to a vehicle control unit capable of performing additional vehicle diagnostics function.
[035] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce the number of electronic control units performing additional vehicle diagnostics function.
[036] It is further an object of the present invention to provide a control unit compatible with different vehicles to perform vehicle diagnostics.
[037] It is further an object of the present invention to overcome the space constraint while assembling one or more control units in the vehicle layout.
[038] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce the part count by reducing the number of mounting brackets and fasteners required for mounting the one or more control units in the vehicle.
[039] It is further an object of the present invention to reduce the amount of lengthy wires required to connect the one or more control units with the existing vehicle control unit
[040] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[041] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional vehicle control unit in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A conventional vehicle (100a) is configured to have an existing vehicle diagnostic functions compliant vehicle control unit (102a). The existing vehicle diagnostic functions as an on board diagnostic and complies with regulatory norms such as OBD-I norms and BS-VI compliance norms. The existing vehicle control unit (102a) is connected electronically with a one or more vehicle drivers and sensors (104a). The existing vehicle control unit (102a) performs diagnosis and health monitoring of an ignition pulse, a fuel injection pulse, a fuel pump, a lambda heater control, a SAI control, and an idle actuator control of the existing vehicle. However, the conventional vehicle control unit (102a) is not capable of performing additional exhaust system health diagnostic in a vehicle due to complex design and higher capacity calibration of vehicle parameters for determination of exhaust system health of the vehicle for reducing harmful emissions.
[042] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle diagnostic system to perform additional vehicle diagnostics in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. A vehicle (102) is configured to have an auxiliary control unit (104) in conjunction with a vehicle control unit (106). The auxiliary control unit (104) and the vehicle control unit (106) being configured to communicate with each other and the vehicle (102) through a CAN communication or any other wired communication medium. The auxiliary control unit (104) is further configured to be connected to an external port (108) of a diagnostic device. In one embodiment, the external port (108) of the diagnostic device is an OBD (on board diagnostic) port being configured to display the auxiliary control unit (104) determination and values to a service technician of the vehicle. The auxiliary control unit (104) is a computation unit where all the diagnosis algorithm will perform the computation and calculation to diagnose the concerned issues of an exhaust system of a vehicle. The auxiliary control unit (104) takes various inputs from the vehicle control unit (106) and the one or more sensors of the vehicle (102) such as throttle position, engine rpm, lambda sensor signals etc. The auxiliary control unit (104) is configured to perform additional vehicle diagnostics such as misfire detection, lambda sensor health diagnosis and TWC (three-way catalytic converter) health diagnosis.
[043] In one embodiment, an additional lambda sensor (post TWC lambda sensor) is provided to provide a signal of air fuel ratio (AFR) to the auxiliary control unit (104) and thereby the additional lambda sensor data becomes a part of the diagnosis algorithm for TWC. In another embodiment, an ion current input is provided to the auxiliary control unit (104) for determination of the catalytic converter health.
[044] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of components of the vehicle diagnostic system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The auxiliary control unit (104) of the vehicle (102) is configured to have an auxiliary control unit processor (204) and is powered by a power supply (200). The auxiliary control unit processor (204) is configured to convert one or more analog inputs from the one or more vehicle sensors into digital inputs. The one or more analog inputs being an engine speed, a manifold air pressure, a throttle position sensor value, an ion current value and a lambda sensor value in one embodiment.
[045] The digital inputs converted by the auxiliary control unit processor (204) is further processed in conjunction with one or more vehicle trouble codes received from the vehicle control unit (106) through a CAN transceiver (206). The auxiliary control unit processor (204) processes and calibrates additional vehicle diagnostic functions and thereafter determines the vehicle codes for troubleshooting and displays the codes on the external port (108) and on the vehicle display panel in the form of MIL (malfunction indicator) signals. In one embodiment, the MIL signals being blinks or error signals being displayed on the display panel of the vehicle (102). In one embodiment, the additional vehicle diagnostic functions are calibration of a vehicle battery health and a vehicle fuel level etc. The auxiliary control unit is also configured to display the malfunction indication on a display window of an instrument cluster of the vehicle to notify the user of existence of such errors. In one embodiment, the malfunction indications being one of or a combination of haptic signals, visual signals, and audio signals.
[046] Figure 4 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to detect and monitor misfiring of spark plug of a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The auxiliary control unit (104) captures an ignition coil input from the engine of the vehicle (102) as shown in step (402) in order to capture the spark event. Thereafter, the auxiliary control unit (104) checks for a trigger as shown in step (404). If no trigger event is found, then the auxiliary control unit (104) sets all the vehicle parameters to a default value as shown in step (406). If the trigger event is found, then the auxiliary control unit (104) sets a threshold ion current value depending on the engine rpm of the vehicle (102) as shown in step (408). Thereafter, the auxiliary control unit (104) increments counting of analog inputs of engine rpm and captures ion current analog inputs as shown in step (410). Further, the auxiliary control unit (104) checks if the ion current input value is greater than the threshold ion current value as shown in step (412). If it does not cross the threshold value, then the auxiliary control unit (104) determines that no change is detected in peak value as shown in step (414). However, if the value crosses the threshold value, then the auxiliary control unit (104) increments the counter to determine the exact number of peak values as shown in step (416).
[047] Further, the auxiliary control unit (104) checks if the analog input of ion current is greater than 100 as shown in step (418). If its not greater than 100, then the auxiliary control unit (104) further collects ion current analog inputs from the vehicle (102). However, if its greater than 100, then the auxiliary control unit (104) checks for a misfire condition as shown in step (420). If no misfire condition is detected, then the algorithm stops as shown in step (424). If a misfire is detected, then a MIL signal is indicated on the external port (108) and the vehicle (102) as shown in step (422). In one embodiment, the trigger event is the spark event caused by the ion current released from the ignition coil of the vehicle.
[048] Figure 5a illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to detect a lambda sensor ageing in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 5b illustrates a graphical representation to calibrate lambda sensor ageing, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 5a and 5b will be discussed together. The auxiliary control unit (104) is further configured to determine a lambda sensor health diagnostic to determine lambda sensor ageing and to conclusively know about the amount of rich and lean combustion taking place in the vehicle (102). The auxiliary control unit (104) is configured to collect a data sample of engine speed and MAP (manifold air pressure) until the engine speed and the MAP is substantially same as shown in step (502). The auxiliary control unit (104) thereafter checks if the operating conditions are met as shown in step (504) and keeps on collecting the data sample if the operating conditions are not met. If the operating conditions are met, the auxiliary control unit (104) collects data from the lambda sensor provided in the vehicle (102) as shown in step (506). Thereafter, the auxiliary control unit (104) compares and analyze the lambda sensor data as shown in step (508) as displays it on an OBD-II dashboard through the external port (108) of the diagnostic device. The auxiliary control unit (104) is further configured to check if the operating parameters of the lambda sensor are greater than the threshold value of the lambda sensor as shown in step (512), and the auxiliary control unit (104) continues to check the parameter value till the parameter value is less than the threshold value of the lambda sensor. If the auxiliary control unit (104) checks that the parameter value is greater than the threshold value, then the MIL signal is activated and is displayed on the vehicle (102) as shown in step (514). In one embodiment, the operating conditions are engine speed and the manifold air pressure value being less than a threshold engine speed and a threshold manifold air pressure value.
[049] The auxiliary control unit (104) determines and activates the MIL signal when the lambda sensor signal is distorted and is limited only to a lean fuel mixture value, and the lean fuel mixture value is depicted at the peaks of the provided graphs. The auxiliary control unit is also configured to display the malfunction indication on a display window of an instrument cluster of the vehicle to notify the user of existence of such errors. In one embodiment, the malfunction indications being one of or a combination of haptic signals, visual signals, and audio signals.
[050] Figure 6a illustrates a flowchart depicting a method to detect a catalytic converter ageing in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. Figure 6b illustrates a graphical representation calibrating the catalytic converter ageing in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. For brevity, figures 6a and 6b will be discussed together. The auxiliary control unit (104) is configured to analyze and calibrate the health of the catalytic converter of the engine of the vehicle (102). The auxiliary control unit (104) is configured to collect data sample of engine speed and throttle position sensor value (TPS) as shown in step (604). The auxiliary control unit (104) further checks if the operating conditions are met as shown in step (606), if the operating conditions are not met, the auxiliary control unit (104) keeps on collecting the data sample. However, if the operating conditions are met, the auxiliary control unit (104) triggers a test for catalyst age monitoring as shown in step (608). Thereafter, the auxiliary control unit (104) measures a phase for catalyst age monitoring as shown in step (610) and also performs quantification of phase shift into age parameter as shown in step (612) and displays the phase shift results on the OBD-II dashboard through the external port (108) of the diagnostic device as shown in step (614).
[051] Further, the auxiliary control unit (104) compares the age of the catalytic converter with a threshold age as shown in step (616). If the age of the catalytic converter is less than the threshold age, the auxiliary control unit (104) keeps on calibrating phase shift quantification. If the age of the catalytic converter is greater than the threshold age, the auxiliary control unit (104) activates the MIL signal and displays it on the vehicle (102) as shown in step (618). In one embodiment, the operating conditions are the engine speed and the throttle position value being less than a predetermined engine speed and a predetermined throttle position value.
[052] The auxiliary control unit (104) further determines the phase shift change based on the amplitude of each of the curve of the voltage received from the catalytic converter of the vehicle (102). In one embodiment, the auxiliary control unit (104) works in conjunction with a ISG (integrated starter generator) controller and the vehicle control unit (102a). In one embodiment, the auxiliary control unit (104) is connected to the vehicle control unit (102a) using a detachable communication connection, such as a CAN cable or an USB cable.
[053] Various embodiments of the invention provides a control system of a vehicle comprising a vehicle control unit being configured to perform vehicle diagnostics. An auxiliary control unit being configured to perform auxiliary vehicle diagnostics, upon receiving one or more vehicle inputs, in conjunction with the vehicle control unit. The auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection. The auxiliary control unit being configured to simultaneously detect and calculate the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics and transmit the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output on an external port of a diagnostic device for exhaustive health monitoring of a vehicle exhaust system and also for quick resolution of faulty parts of the exhaust system.
[054] The present invention is a control system comprising a vehicle control unit for performing vehicle diagnostics and an auxiliary control unit configured for performing auxiliary vehicle diagnostics in conjunction with the vehicle control unit, upon receiving one or more vehicle inputs from one or more sensors of the vehicle. The auxiliary vehicle diagnostics are an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection. The auxiliary control unit configured to simultaneously detect and calculate the auxiliary vehicle diagnostics, and the auxiliary control unit configured to transmit auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output on an external port of a diagnostic device. The auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being calculated upon comparison with a predetermined auxiliary vehicle diagnostics values, by the auxiliary control unit.
[055] The present claimed invention solves the technical problem of difficulty performing one or more health monitoring and diagnosis of an exhaust system of a vehicle using a single electronic control unit and without using complex logic and algorithms.
[056] Specifically, the claimed control system integrates the diagnosis and malfunction indication characteristics in the auxiliary control unit and the auxiliary control unit aids the vehicle control unit to perform the exhaust system health monitoring without impeding the performance of the vehicle control unit.
[057] Additionally, the auxiliary control unit being detachable and retrofitted in any vehicle enables ease of access and provides a single logic being compatible with vehicle control unit of multiple vehicles without additional parts and cost.
[058] Furthermore, the auxiliary control unit is capable of performing one or more functions simultaneously or the auxiliary control unit can perform one diagnostic function at a time and thereby provides more compatible options of diagnosis of exhaust system health of the vehicle in a comprehensive manner.
[059] The present invention also provides advantages of ease of accessibility and ease of replaceability of the auxiliary control unit without increasing the cost and without changing the design of the auxiliary control unit.
[060] In light of the above-mentioned advantages and the technical advancements provided by the disclosed method of performing vehicle diagnostics of the exhaust system of the vehicle, the claimed method as discussed above is not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed method enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. Further, the claimed method clearly brings an improvement by providing a detachable auxiliary control unit which takes one or more vehicle input values for diagnosing health of the exhaust system of the vehicle as the claimed invention provide a technical solution to a technical problem.
[061] While the present invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in form, connection, and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Reference Numerals:


100 vehicle diagnostic system
102 vehicle
104 auxiliary control unit
106 vehicle control unit
108 external port
200 power supply
202 analog inputs receiver
204 auxiliary control unit processor
206 CAN transceiver ,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. A control system (100) of a vehicle (102), said control system (100) comprising:
a vehicle control unit (106), said vehicle control unit (106) being configured to perform vehicle diagnostics;
an auxiliary control unit (104);
wherein said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to perform auxiliary vehicle diagnostics in conjunction with said vehicle control unit (106), upon receiving one or more vehicle inputs (104a), said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) being received from one or more sensors of said vehicle (102);
wherein said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection; and
wherein said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to simultaneously detect and calculate said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics and said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to transmit auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output on an external port (108) of a diagnostic device;
wherein said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being calculated upon comparison with a predetermined auxiliary vehicle diagnostics values, by said auxiliary control unit (104).
2. The control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to communicate with said vehicle control unit (106) using a detachable communication connection.
3. The control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) being an engine speed, a throttle position value, an ion current value, a lambda sensor value and a manifold air pressure value being detected by said one or more sensors of said vehicle (102), wherein said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) being one of an analog and a digital input.
4. The control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to communicate to said vehicle (102) through a transceiver (206), wherein said transceiver (206) being configured to communicate to said external port (108) of said diagnostic device through a CAN communication, wherein said transceiver (206) being configured to communicate to said vehicle control unit (106) in conjunction with said auxiliary control unit (204).
5. The control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said engine misfire detection by said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to occur after said auxiliary control unit (104) determines whether a spark event has been triggered by an ignition coil input, said ignition coil input being determined by said one or more sensors.
6. The control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lambda sensor ageing detection by said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to occur when said auxiliary control unit (104) receives said lambda sensor input at a predetermined engine rpm.
7. The control system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said catalyst converter ageing detection by said auxiliary control unit (104) being configured to occur by comparing an input value received from a first catalytic converter and a second catalytic converter with a predetermined first catalytic converter and a second catalytic converter input values respectively, by said auxiliary control unit (104).
8. A method of performing auxiliary vehicle diagnostics by a control system (100) of a vehicle (102), said method comprising the steps of:
receiving one or more vehicle inputs (104a) from one or more vehicle sensors by an auxiliary control unit (104);
calibrating said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics by said auxiliary control unit (104) in conjunction with a vehicle control unit (106) through a transceiver (206) based on said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) to generate auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output;
transmitting said one or more auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output to an external port (108), wherein said external port (108) being disposed on a diagnostic device, wherein said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output being displayed on a display panel of said diagnostic device;
displaying an alert on a display window of an instrument cluster of said vehicle (102) upon receiving said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics output by said auxiliary control unit (104).
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary vehicle diagnostics being an engine misfire detection, a lambda sensor ageing detection and a catalytic converter ageing detection, and wherein said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) being an engine speed, a throttle position value, an ion current value, a lambda sensor value and a manifold air pressure value being detected by said one or more sensors of said vehicle (102), wherein said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) being one of an analog and a digital input.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said engine misfire detection method comprising the following steps:
capturing (402) an ignition coil input to trigger a spark event by said auxiliary control unit (104);
determining (404) said trigger spark event being activated by said auxiliary control unit (104);
setting (408) said ion current value to a threshold ion current value by said auxiliary control unit (104);
capturing (410) said ion current signal value by incrementing count of said ion current signal value for creating a sample size by said auxiliary control unit (104);
determining (412) said ion current value being greater than a threshold ion current value by said auxiliary control unit (104);
incrementing (416) said count of said ion current value for a peak value by said auxiliary control unit (104);
determining (418) said count of said ion current value being greater than 100 by said auxiliary control unit (104);
concluding (420) occurrence of a misfire condition by said auxiliary control unit (104) and indicating (422) said misfire detected to said external port (108) of said diagnostic device by said auxiliary control unit (104).
11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lambda sensor ageing detection method comprising the following steps:
collecting (502) plurality of said engine speed and said manifold air pressure value of said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) by said auxiliary control unit (104);
determining (504) an operating condition being met by said auxiliary control unit (104), said operating condition being said engine speed and said manifold air pressure value being less than a threshold engine speed and a threshold manifold air pressure value;
receiving (506) plurality of values from said lambda sensor by said auxiliary control unit (104);
comparing (508) said plurality of values from said lambda sensor with a threshold lambda sensor value by said auxiliary control unit (104) and transmitting (510) said compared value on said external port (108) of said diagnostic device;
determining (512) said lambda sensor value being greater than said threshold lambda sensor value by said auxiliary control unit (104);
activating (514) a malfunction indication of said lambda sensor ageing by said auxiliary control unit (104).
12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said lambda sensor value being determined at a predetermined engine rpm.
13. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said catalytic converter ageing detection method comprising the following steps:
collecting (604) plurality of said engine speed and throttle position value of said one or more vehicle inputs (104a) by said auxiliary control unit (104);
determining (604) an operating condition being met by said auxiliary control unit (104), said operating condition being said engine speed and said throttle position value being less than a predetermined engine speed and a predetermined throttle position value;
triggering (608) a test for catalyst age monitoring by said auxiliary control unit (104), wherein said test for catalyst age monitoring being analyzing and comparing output values from a first catalytic converter and a second catalytic converter;
measuring (610) a phase shift between said output values from said first catalytic converter and said second catalytic converter by said auxiliary control unit (104);
quantifying (612) said phase shift into an age parameter of said catalytic converter by said auxiliary control unit (104) and displaying (614) said age parameter on said external port (108) of said diagnostic device;
determining (616) said age parameter being greater than a threshold age parameter by said auxiliary control unit (104);
activating (618) said malfunction indication of said catalytic converter ageing by said auxiliary control unit (104).