DESC:FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a system for determining fault in vehicles.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles are used for transporting people, goods and the like. Vehicles are complex structures owing to assembly of varied electro-mechanical systems. In recent years, automation of vehicles is significantly increased and hence there is significant increase in sub-electrical systems and electronics sub-systems. Increase in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems result in comparatively more complex assembly of components in vehicles. During non-operative condition of vehicles, due to faults or failures of electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems, it is difficult to determine/detect faults or failures in electrical sub-systems and electronics systems due to significant increase thereof.

To determine faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems, skilled service labours or technicians are required to diagnose and rectify faults. However, in absence of skilled labours or technicians, troubleshooting or determining faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics systems becomes difficult and hence diagnosis and rectification of faults is time consuming. Also, the troubleshooting, diagnosis and rectification of faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles is labour dependent.

Conventionally, systems with standard diagnostic communication protocols like CAN, LIN, K-Line and the like are used to process the vehicle fault codes of the vehicles. However, such systems do not determine/diagnose faults for vehicles without standard diagnostic communication protocol like K-Line/LIN/CAN etc or the non-electronic fuel injection systems or vehicles with carburettor or the like.

Automotive diagnostic service tool are known in the prior art,

for example, the US Granted Patent US6181992 discloses an automotive diagnostic service tool with hand held tool and master controller that provides a system and method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle on a real-time basis, and for providing sophisticated problem solving capabilities for accurately diagnosing and repairing problems. The automotive diagnostic service tool with hand held tool and master controller employs a hand-held scan tool and a master station to provide improved service support and capabilities. The scan tool of the US Granted Patent US6181992 is adapted to interface to the automobile and communicate with the various on-board controllers to monitor the operation of the vehicle on a real-time. The scan tool is adapted to be compatible with a wide variety of makes and models of automobiles and vehicle systems. However, the scan tool still faces compatibility issues with the various models of automobiles and vehicle systems, is expensive and complex. Further, the scan tool fails to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem or exact part of a vehicle that is causing problem.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system for determining faults in vehicles that do not face any compatibility issues while communicating with different models of automobiles and vehicle systems for diagnosis of different automobiles and vehicle systems. Further, there is a need for a system for determining exact location of faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles. Furthermore, there is a need for a system for determining faults in vehicles that may incorporate conventional standard diagnostic communication protocols such as K-Line/LIN/CAN and the like. Still further, there is a need for a system for determining faults in vehicles without standard diagnostic communication protocol like non-electronic fuel injection systems or vehicles with carburettor or the like. Furthermore, there is a need for a system for determining faults in vehicles without requirement of skilled labours. Further, there is a need for a system for determining faults in vehicles in comparatively less time. Still further, there is a need for a system for determining faults in vehicles that is accurate and reliable.

OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure which at least one embodiment herein satisfies are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that can capture input / output parameters associated with various sub-systems of the vehicle in real time.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is user friendly and easy to reconfigure to cater to any type of vehicle.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is cost effective and do not require specific controller or communication line for recording or analysing the data/ problem.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles that utilizes universally compatible communication network for communicating with different models of automobiles and vehicle systems for diagnosing and that do not face any compatibility issues.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles without requiring conventional standard diagnostic communication protocol like K-Line/LIN/CAN and the like or non-electronic fuel injection systems or vehicles with carburettor or the like.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that do not require skilled labour.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles in comparatively less time.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that generate an audio or visual alarm in case a fault is detected.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that identifies root cause of faults.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles by identifying root causes of the fault to solve problems caused due to the fault.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is reliable.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A diagnostic system for vehicles is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The diagnostic system includes an user interface, a communication network, a diagnostic module and a storage memory. The user interface displays and facilitates navigation through and interactive selection of various selectable options corresponding to different vehicles, different sub-systems associated with each vehicle of the different vehicles, different elements of a particular vehicle sub-system for a particular vehicle for selecting a particular vehicle and a particular sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle for performing diagnosis thereof. The user interface further displays different parameters associated with and indicative of operational condition of each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to a particular vehicle as detected by different sensing elements. The user interface still further displays different error codes corresponding to different faults detected in the selected vehicle and in a corresponding sub-system of the selected vehicle. The communication network is universally compatible with any vehicle and sub-systems corresponding to any vehicle to facilitate communication between the user interface and any vehicle and sub-systems corresponding to any vehicle. The diagnostic module analyses different parameters associated with each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle and provides indication of operational condition of the particular vehicle sub-system in the form of error codes displayed on a screen of the user interface. The storage memory stores data corresponding to different vehicles, different vehicle sub-systems for a corresponding vehicle and different error codes.

Typically, the user interface is a touch screen based user interface and the various selectable options displayed on the touch screen based user interface are navigated and selected by the touch of the user.

Alternatively, the user interface includes an input device and an output device.

Generally, the input device is selected from a group consisting of a key-pad, a key-board and a pointing device such as mouse.
Typically, the output device is a screen selected from a group consisting of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) screen and thin-film-transistor (TFT) screen.

In accordance with an embodiment, the communication network is either one of wired communication network and wireless communication network.

Generally, the different sub-systems associated with each vehicle are selected from group consisting of ignition sub-system, charging sub-system, lighting sub-system, fuel sub-system and display sub-system.

Typically, the diagnostic module is upgradable or re-programmable for determining/diagnosis of faults in different vehicles and different models of vehicles.

Generally, the user interface communicates different faults detected in the selected vehicle and in a corresponding sub-system of the selected vehicle by generating an alarm.

In accordance with an embodiment, the diagnostic module compares different parameters associated with each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle with pre-determined threshold values stored in the storage memory and based on comparison determines whether there is a fault in the particular vehicle sub-system.

Typically, the alarm is a visual alarm.

Alternatively, the alarm is an audio alarm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The disclosure will now be explained in relation to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic representation of a system for determining faults in various elements of vehicles, in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2a illustrates a schematic representation of a screen shot of a screen of the system of Figure 1 displaying an introductory message;

Figure 2b illustrates a schematic representation of a screen shot of displaying a list of plurality of vehicles;

Figure 2c illustrates a schematic representation of a screen shot displaying a plurality of vehicle sub-systems of at least one vehicle from the list of vehicles displayed in the screen shot of Figure 2b;

Figure 2d illustrates a schematic representation of a screen shot displaying a plurality of elements of the vehicle sub-systems, particularly an ignition system of the list of vehicle systems displayed in the screen shot of Figure 2c;

Figure 2e illustrates a schematic representation of a screen shot displaying various conditions or parameters associated with an element of the vehicle sub-system displayed in the screen shot of Figure 2d; and

Figure 2f illustrates a schematic representation of a screen shot displaying types of fault/error code associated faults in the vehicle sub-systems displayed in the screen shot of Figure 2c or the elements of Figure 2d.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system for determining faults in vehicles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the 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 will so fully reveal 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.

The system for determining faults in vehicles, also referred to as a vehicle diagnostic system is disclosed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. The system, as disclosed, determines exact location of faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles. The system determines faults in vehicles without requirement of skilled labours. Further, the system for determines faults in vehicles in comparatively less time.

Figure 1 illustrates the vehicle diagnostic system 100 for determining faults in vehicles, also referred to as a diagnostic system for vehicles. More specifically, the system 100 determines faults in at least one of electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles. Typically, electrical sub-systems or electronics sub-systems are at least one of fuel gauges 30a, batteries (positive) 30b, batteries (negative) 30c, ignition coils 30d, capacitor discharge ignition systems (CDI) 30e, magneto assemblies 30f, RR systems 30g, coils 30h, ignition cables 30i or the like. However the present disclosure is not limited to the electrical sub-systems and electronics systems as listed above. The diagnostic system includes an user interface 10, a communication network 20, a diagnostic module 50 and a storage memory 60 (not illustrated in Figures). The user interface 10 displays and facilitates navigation through and interactive selection of various selectable options corresponding to different vehicles, different sub-systems associated with each vehicle of the different vehicles, different elements of a particular vehicle sub-system for a particular vehicle for selecting a particular vehicle and a particular sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle for performing diagnosis thereof. The user interface 10 further displays different parameters associated with and indicative of operational condition of each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to a particular vehicle as detected by different sensing elements. The user interface 10 still further displays different error codes corresponding to different faults detected in the selected vehicle and in a corresponding sub-system of the selected vehicle. The user interface 10 includes an input device and an output device. The input device is selected from a group consisting of a key-pad, a key-board and a pointing device such as mouse. The output device is a screen selected from a group consisting of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) screen and thin-film-transistor (TFT) screen. The user interface 10 communicates different faults detected in the selected vehicle and in a corresponding sub-system of the selected vehicle by generating an alarm, wherein the alarm is either a visual alarm or an audio alarm.

The communication network 20 is universally compatible with any vehicle and sub-systems corresponding to any vehicle to facilitate communication between the user interface 10 and any vehicle and sub-systems corresponding to any vehicle. The communication network 20 is either one of wired communication network and wireless communication network.

The diagnostic module 50 analyses different parameters associated with each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle and provide indication of operational condition of the particular vehicle sub-system in the form of error codes displayed on a screen of the user interface 10. More specifically, the diagnostic module 50 compares different parameters associated with each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle with pre-determined threshold values for corresponding element of the particular vehicle sub-system that is stored in the storage memory and based on the comparison determines whether there is a fault in the vehicle sub-system. The diagnostic module 50 is upgradable or re-programmable for determining/diagnosis of faults in different vehicles and different models of vehicles. The storage memory 60 stores data corresponding to different vehicles, different vehicle sub-systems for a corresponding vehicle and different error codes.

In one embodiment, the system 100 is a programmable hardware that determines/diagnoses faults in vehicles without conventional standard diagnostic communication protocol like K-Line/LIN/CAN and the like or non-electronic fuel injection systems or vehicles with carburettor or the like. In another embodiment, the system 100 is a programmable hardware that determines/diagnoses faults in vehicles with conventional standard diagnostic communication protocol like K-Line/LIN/CAN and the like or non-electronic fuel injection systems or vehicles with carburettor or the like. The system 100 displays faults on a screen of the user interface 10. The system 100 has a plurality of connectors that define the communication network 20 for connecting various systems/elements such as fuel gauges 30a, batteries (positive) 30b, batteries (negative) 30c, ignition coils 30d, capacitor discharge ignition systems (CDI) 30e, magneto assemblies 30f, RR systems 30g, coils 30h, ignition cables 30i or the like to the system 100. The system 100 determines/diagnoses faults in in operative working condition of vehicles, during running configuration of vehicles, as intermittent problems or faults are not determined during in-operative non-working configuration that is during ideal configuration of vehicles. The system 100 is an on line fault determining/diagnosis tool that monitors operation of vehicles along with various electrical and electronics vehicle sub-systems or elements.

The system 100 may be programmed for determining/diagnosis faults for different vehicles and different models of vehicles. More specifically, the program of the system 100 may be upgraded or re-programmed for determining/diagnosis faults for different vehicles and different models of vehicles. The system 100 may be used either during services/maintenance of vehicles or for testing. The system 100 may be operated by service engineers or test engineers. Service engineers or test engineers may test a particular vehicle system or elements of vehicles. Typically, in case a complaint in relation with misfiring of a vehicle is received by a user such as service engineers or test engineers, service engineers or test engineers will select an ignition system of the vehicle in the system 100 for pre-determined model of the vehicle. The system 100 will then display parameters in relation with the ignition system of the vehicle during operative working configuration thereof. There-after the system 100, in the in-operative configuration of the vehicle, will compare actual condition of components with pre-determined condition of components such as resistance determination, inductance determination and the like that cannot be measures in operative working configuration.

The vehicle diagnostic system 100 is disclosed. The vehicle diagnostic system 100 determines/performs diagnosis of faults in the vehicle. Initially, the system 100 is non-operational and then is switched on. Then-after an introductory message such as welcome messages are displayed on the screen of the user interface 10 as illustrated in Figure 2a. Figure 2b illustrates a list of plurality of vehicles such as various models of vehicles are displayed. Then-after the user selects the model of the vehicle on the system 100 for which fault determination is required. After, selection of the model of the vehicle, the system 100 displays a list of vehicle systems such as ignition system, Charging system, Lightening system or vehicle elements such as ignition coil, RR unit and the like. The user needs to select at least one of the vehicle system or the vehicle element. In case, the user selects a vehicle system, the system 100 displays a list of vehicle elements and then-after the user needs to select the vehicle element for which fault is needed to be determined. After selection of the vehicle system or the vehicle element, the system 100 is connected to the vehicle by the connector based communication network 20 for initiating the fault detection. The system 100 then starts fault determination based on the pre-defined programme. In case the system 100 determines a fault it signals to the user either through the indication on the screen of the user interface 10 or by the generation of an alarm. After receiving the fault signal, the user may select an error menu on the system 100 and note down the errors or error codes. Optionally, the user may make a note of specific element parameters. The user may then make required maintenance, replacements or changes in the vehicle systems or vehicle element and thereby rectify the fault. The test may then be repeated. The system 100 thereby significantly reduces troubleshooting time.

TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The system for determining faults in vehicles in accordance with the present disclosure has several technical advantages including but not limited to the realization of:

• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that can capture input / output parameters associated with various sub-systems of the vehicle in real time;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is user friendly and easy to reconfigure to cater to any type of vehicle;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is cost effective and do not require specific controller or communication line for recording or analysing the data/ problem;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics systems of vehicles;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in electrical sub-systems and electronics sub-systems of vehicles that utilizes universally compatible communication network for communicating with different models of automobiles and vehicle systems for diagnosing of automobiles and vehicle systems and that do not face any compatibility issues.
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults for vehicles without conventional standard diagnostic communication protocol like K-Line/LIN/CAN and the like or non-electronic fuel injection systems or vehicles with carburettor or the like;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles without requirement of skilled labours;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles in comparatively less time;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that generate an audio or visual alarm in case a fault is detected;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that identifies root cause of faults;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is user friendly;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles by identifying root causes of the fault to solve problems caused to the fault;
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles and thereby provides satisfaction to the customer; and
• a vehicle diagnostic system for determining faults in vehicles that is reliable and cost-effective.
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 invention 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 invention. 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 invention 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 invention, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the invention 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 invention and not as a limitation. ,CLAIMS:1. A vehicle diagnostic system, said vehicle diagnostic system comprising:
• an user interface adapted to display and facilitate navigation through and interactive selection of various selectable options corresponding to different vehicles, different sub-systems associated with each vehicle of said different vehicles, different elements of a particular vehicle sub-system for a particular vehicle for selecting a particular vehicle and a particular sub-system corresponding to the selected vehicle for performing diagnosis thereof, said user interface further adapted to display different parameters associated with and indicative of operational condition of each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to a particular vehicle as detected by different sensing elements, said user interface still further adapted to display different error codes corresponding to different faults detected in said selected vehicle and in a corresponding sub-system of said selected vehicle;
• a communication network adapted to be universally compatible with any vehicle and sub-systems corresponding to any vehicle to facilitate communication between said user interface and any vehicle and sub-systems corresponding to any vehicle;
• a diagnostic module adapted to analyse different parameters associated with each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to said selected vehicle and provide indication of operational condition of said particular vehicle sub-system in the form of error codes that are displayed on a screen of said user interface; and
• a storage memory adapted to store data corresponding to different vehicles, different vehicle sub-systems for a corresponding vehicle and different error codes.

2. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface is a touch screen based user interface and said various selectable options displayed on said touch screen based user interface are navigated and selected by the touch of the user.

3. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface comprises an input device and an output device.

4. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said input device is selected from a group consisting of a key-pad, a key-board and a mouse.

5. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said output device is a screen selected from a group consisting of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen, an Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) screen and thin-film-transistor (TFT) screen.

6. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication network is either one of wired communication network and wireless communication network.

7. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said different sub-systems associated with each vehicle are selected from group consisting of ignition sub-system, charging sub-system, lighting sub-system, fuel sub-system and display sub-system.

8. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diagnostic module is upgradeable or re-programmable for determining/diagnosis of faults in different vehicles and different models of vehicles.

9. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user interface is adapted to communicate different faults detected in said selected vehicle and in a corresponding sub-system of said selected vehicle by generating an alarm.
10. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said diagnostic module is adapted to compare different parameters associated with each element of a particular vehicle sub-system corresponding to said selected vehicle with pre-determined threshold values stored in said storage memory and based on comparison determines whether there is a fault in said particular vehicle sub-system.

11. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm is a visual alarm.

12. The vehicle diagnostic system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said alarm is an audio alarm.