DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to the field of automobiles.
BACKGROUND
On-board diagnostics systems are provided with a vehicle, which are capable of diagnosing functional errors arising in the vehicle. Such systems include one or more electronic control module/s configured to detect the functional errors in the vehicle, and further generate and transmit diagnostic signals corresponding to the functional errors. An on-board diagnostic port is provided in the vehicle through which the electronic control module transmits the diagnostic signals. Conventionally, an on-board diagnostic connector is connected with the on-board diagnostic port to receive the diagnostic signals.
Typically, in 4-wheeled vehicles having 2-wheel drive system, the on-board diagnostic connector is connected to a computing device. Using dedicated software, the functional errors are detected. In 4-wheeled vehicles having 4-wheel drive system, an indication lamp is connected to the pins of the on-board diagnostic port present in the vehicle. The indication lamp is configured to make different blinking patterns which are used to detect the functional errors in that vehicle. The selection of method, i.e., whether to use software method or indication lamp method, depends on type of controllers used in a vehicle. Further, in indication lamp method, no record of testing is registered. Therefore, there is a constant risk of skipping diagnostic testing of a vehicle by an operator, which may affect safety of passengers using that vehicle. Furthermore, incorrect connection of the indication lamp with the on-board diagnostic port may leads to short-circuit, thereby damaging vital components of the vehicle and incurring huge cost for repair. The abovementioned methods are not ergonomically suitable for an operator and consume a lot of time.
Therefore, there is felt a need of a system and a method for diagnosis of functional errors that can be used in all variants of 4-wheeled vehicles and alleviates drawbacks of the abovementioned methods.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that can diagnose functional errors in all variant of 4-wheeled vehicles having 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive systems.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system for diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle that is easy to use, and is compatible with different makes of controllers used in vehicles.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system that is ergonomic and safe from the perspective of an operator using the same.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages a system and method for on-board diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle. The system comprises an electronic control module and a device configured to communicate with the electronic module. The electronic control module includes a memory which is configured to store the functional errors occurring in the vehicle. The electronic control module is configured with an on-board connector port. The device comprises a housing, an indication unit, and a switch. The housing is provided with an on-board connector and a socket. The socket is adapted to communicate with the electronic control module via the on-board connector port. The indication unit is disposed on the housing, and is in communication with the electronic control module via the socket. The indication unit is configured to generate a pre-determined pattern to facilitate detection of the functional errors. The switch is disposed on the housing, and is configured to communicate with the electronic control module via the socket.
The system includes a controller area network bus which is configured within the socket. The controller area network bus is configured to communicate with the electronic control module and a computing unit.
In an embodiment, the indicating unit is a flash lamp. The flash lamp is configured to blink at pre-determined intervals to facilitate detection of the functional errors in the vehicle.
The switch communicates with the memory of the electronic control module via the on-board diagnostic connector port configured in the vehicle. The switch is configured to reset the functional errors stored in the memory.
The method for diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle comprises following steps. Initially, an on-board diagnostic connector is connected to an on-board diagnostic connector port configured in the vehicle. An engine of the vehicle is then started. The functional errors in the vehicle are detected using the electronic control module. Diagnostic signals are generated and transmitted corresponding to the detected functional errors. The diagnostic signals are then received by the device. Blinking pattern of an indication lamp of the on-board diagnostic connector is analyzed. The functional errors in the vehicle are determined using the analyzed blinking pattern. Once the functional errors are eliminated from the vehicle, a switch of the device is activated to reset the functional errors stored in the memory before commencement of next testing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
A system for on-board diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle, of the present disclosure, will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a device of the system shown in figure 1; and
Figure 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of the system of figure 1.
LIST OF REFERRAL NUMERALS
100 – System of the present disclosure
110 – Electronic control module
120 – Memory
130 – On-board connector port
200 – Device of the present disclosure
202 – Housing
205 – On-board diagnostic connector
210 – Socket
215 – Indication unit
220 – Switch
300 – Computing unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present disclosure envisages a system and a method for on-board diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle. The system and method can be used to diagnose functional errors in all variant of 4-wheeled vehicles having 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive systems.
The system and method, of the present disclosure, is now described with reference to figure 1, figure 2, and figure 3.
Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The system 100 comprises an electronic control module 110 and a device 200. The electronic control module 110 is disposed within a vehicle to be tested for determining functional errors therewithin. The electronic control module includes a memory 120 which is configured to store functional errors that were detected in the vehicle during testing. Further, the electronic control module 110 comprises an on-board diagnostic connector port 130 that is adapted to connect with any on-board diagnostic connectors. The electronic control module 110 is configured to detect the functional errors in the vehicle, and further generate and transmit diagnostic signals corresponding to the functional errors to any on-board diagnostic connector via the on-board diagnostic connector port 130.
Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of the device 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 200 comprises a housing 202. The housing 202 is provided with an on-board diagnostic connector 205 and a socket 210. The socket 210 is adapted to communicate with the electronic control module 110. In an embodiment, the socket 210 communicates with the electronic control module 110 via the on-board diagnostic connector port 130. The socket 210 is configured to communicate with an on-board diagnostic connector port of all variants of vehicles including 4-wheel drive and 2-wheel drive vehicles.
The device 200 further comprises an indication unit 215 that is disposed on the housing 202. More specifically, the indication unit 215 is disposed on the on-board diagnostic connector 205. The indication unit 215 is configured to communicate with the electronic control module 110 via the socket 210. The indication unit 215 is further configured to generate a pre-determined pattern to facilitate detection of the functional errors in the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the indication unit 215 is a flash lamp. The flash lamp is configured to blink at pre-determined intervals. The blinking of the flash lamp is controlled by diagnostic signals transmitted by the electronic control module 110 via the on-board diagnostic connector port 130 present in the vehicle. Preferably, a 12V, 3W bulb is used as the flash lamp.
Further, the device 200 comprises a switch 220. The switch 220 is disposed on the housing 202. More specifically, the switch 220 is disposed on the on-board diagnostic connector 205. The switch 220 is configured to communicate with the electronic control module 110 of the vehicle via the socket 210. More specifically, the switch 220 communicates with the memory 120 of the electronic control module 110 via the on-board diagnostic connector port 130. The switch 220 is configured to reset the functional errors stored in the memory 120.
In an embodiment, the switch 220 is a push button.
The device 200 further comprises a controller area network bus (not shown in figures). The controller area network bus is configured within the socket 210 to communicate with the electronic control module in the vehicle and a computing unit 300. More specifically, the computing unit 300 is a computer with which the device 200 is communicating via the controller area network bus.
Figure 3 illustrates a circuit diagram of the system 100. The circuit includes a battery (not shown in figures). A positive terminal of the battery is connected to a first pin of the indication unit 215 through the socket 210 of the device 200. A second pin of the indication unit 215 is connected to a pin of the on-board diagnostic connector port 130 of the electronic control module 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the second pin of the indication unit 215 is connected to Pin 8 of the on-board diagnostic connector port 130 via the socket 210. Further, the second pin of the indication unit is in parallel connection with a first terminal of the switch 220.
Further, the controller area network bus of the device 200 is in communication with the electronic control module 110 of the vehicle and with the computing device 300 at an operator’s end to collect signals from the electronic control module. In an exemplary embodiment, the CAN-H (CAN-High) wire of the controller area network bus is connected to a pin of the on-board diagnostic connector port 130, such as Pin 6, to collect high bit signals, while the CAN-L (CAN-Low) wire is connected to another pin, such as Pin 14, to collect low bit signals.
Further, a negative terminal of the battery is connected to at least two pins of the on-board diagnostic connector port 130, and also to a second terminal of the switch 220. In an exemplary embodiment, the negative terminal of the battery is connected to Pin 4 and Pin 5 of the on-board diagnostic connector port 130.
The method for diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle comprises following steps. Initially, the socket 210 of the device 200 is connected with the on-board diagnostic connector port 130. Therefore, the on-board diagnostic connector 205 gets connected with the on-board diagnostic connector port 130 present in the vehicle. An engine of the vehicle is then started. The electronic control module 110 present in the vehicle detects functional errors. Further, the electronic control module 110 generates and transmits diagnostic signals corresponding to the detected errors. The diagnostic signals are received by the device 200. More specifically, the indication unit 215 receives a diagnostic signal SD via the Pin 8, which enables the indication unit 215 to blink. The blinking pattern of the indication unit 215 is then analyzed. Based on the blinking pattern, an error code is generated and a corresponding functional error is determined. Table 1 and Table 2 illustrate various error codes and functional error corresponding to each of the error code.

Table 1
Binary Code Decimal Equivalent
001 1
010 2
011 3
200 4
210 6
111 7

Table 2
Timing Lamp Status Period Description
F Fast Flashing 45 sec Total duration of Fast flashing, indicating system check
T1 On 0.1 sec On-time during fast flashing
T2 Off 0.1 sec Off-time during fast flashing
T3 On 0.5 sec On-time during error code blinking (all digits)
T4 Off 0.5 sec Off-time during error code blinking (all digits)
D Off 1.5 sec Off-time between two error code digits
R Off 3 sec Off-time before repeat of error code
In an exemplary embodiment, as illustrated in table 1, a ‘zero’ indicates that the indication unit 215 is OFF and a ‘one’ indicates that the indication unit 215 is ON. Further, table 1 and table 2 illustrates an exemplary blinking pattern of the indication unit 215 to detect specific functional error based on the error codes. For example, a flashing pattern represented by binary code 001 or a decimal equivalent ‘1’ may indicate a fault with an electronic control module of the vehicle. Likewise, a flashing pattern represented by binary code 010 or a decimal equivalent ‘2’ may indicate a fault with a shift motor.
Furthermore, if only one part of the vehicle is malfunctioning, the indication unit 215 will indicate, for example, on a display of the personal computer, blinking three times continuously after an initial blink. In other case, if more than two parts are malfunctioning, the first malfunctioning part will be indicated through the indication unit 215 in the same manner as in case of a single malfunctioning part and then the other malfunctioning parts will be indicated.
After detection of the functional errors, the vehicle is transferred to an assembly line for rectification of the detected functional errors.
Once the functional errors are rectified, the switch 220 is activated which resets the functional errors stored in the memory, thereby enabling the device 200 and the electronic control module of the vehicle for further testing.
The system 100, thus, enables effective testing of a vehicle. As the system 100 can be used for diagnosis of functional errors occurring in all variants of vehicles, particularly in 4-wheeled vehicles having 4-wheel drive and 2-wheel drive systems, huge cost and time consumption required for developing two different devices for such vehicles is saved. Further, the configuration of the socket 210 eliminates the possibility of incorrect connections, thereby protecting the system 100 and valuable components of the vehicle from the risk of short-circuit. The device 200 can directly be connected with a computing device to effectively determine the functional errors.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a system for diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle that:
• can diagnose functional errors in all variant of 4-wheeled vehicles having 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive system;
• is easy to use and is compatible with different makes of controllers used in vehicles;
• is ergonomic and safe from the perspective of an operator using the same;
• is compact, handy and light weight;
• provides an immediate analysis of the vehicle under test;
• eliminates chances of skipping a vehicle without testing due to human errors on an assembly line;
• eliminates risk of damaging vehicle parts due to incorrect connections;
• ensures good quality of vehicles as well as safety of passengers in the vehicle; and
• simplifies process of diagnosing and resetting the errors.
The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:1. A system (100) for on-board diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
an electronic control module (110) disposed within said vehicle, and having a memory (120) configured to store said functional errors occurring in said vehicle, said electronic control module configured with an on-board connector port (130); and
a device (200) configured to communicate with said electronic control module (110), said device (200) comprising:
a housing (202) provided with an on-board connector (205) and a socket (210), said socket (210) adapted to communicate with said electronic control module (110) via said on-board connector port (130);
an indication unit (215) disposed on housing (202), and in communication with said electronic control module (110) via said socket (210), said indication unit (215) configured to generate a pre-determined pattern to facilitate detection of said functional errors; and
a switch (220) disposed on said housing (205), and configured to communicate with said electronic control module (110) via said socket (210).
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a controller area network bus is configured within said socket (210) to communicate with said electronic control module (110) and a computing unit (300).
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indication unit (215) is a flash lamp configured to blink at pre-determined intervals to facilitate detection of said functional errors in said vehicle.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flash lamp is 12V, 3W bulb.
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch (220) is configured to reset said functional errors stored in said memory (120).
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch (220) is a push button.
7. A method for diagnosis of functional errors in a vehicle, said method comprising following steps:
connecting a device (200) to an on-board diagnostic connector port (130) configured in said vehicle;
starting an engine of said vehicle;
detecting functional errors in said vehicle using an electronic control module (110);
generating and transmitting diagnostic signals corresponding to said detected functional errors;
receiving said diagnostic signals;
generating a blinking pattern based on said received diagnostic signals;
analyzing blinking pattern of an indication lamp of said device (200);

determining functional errors in said vehicle using said analyzed blinking pattern; and
activating a switch (220) of device (200).