U.S. patent application number 12/660212 was filed with the patent office on 2010-08-26 for diagnostic connector assembly (dca) interface unit (diu).
This patent application is currently assigned to BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.. Invention is credited to Miles Dahl, Richard G. Dickson.
Application Number | 20100217479 12/660212 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42631693 |
Filed Date | 2010-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100217479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dahl; Miles ; et
al. |
August 26, 2010 |
Diagnostic connector assembly (DCA) interface unit (DIU)
Abstract
In a diagnostics system for use on vehicles, wherein the
improvement comprises a connector assembly that translates
diagnostic connector assembly signals into a digital format
suitable for computer based analysis and fault diagnosis on an
individual vehicle and vehicle fleet basis.
Inventors: |
Dahl; Miles; (Merrimack,
NH) ; Dickson; Richard G.; (Merrimack, NH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROBERT K. TENDLER
65 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02110
US
|
Assignee: |
BAE Systems Information and
Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
42631693 |
Appl. No.: |
12/660212 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61154588 |
Feb 23, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/31.4 ;
342/357.25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07C 5/0808
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/33 ;
342/357.09 |
International
Class: |
G06F 19/00 20060101
G06F019/00; G01S 19/14 20100101 G01S019/14 |
Claims
1. A method for providing diagnostic capabilities to legacy
vehicles having analog connector assemblies that output analog
signals relating to vehicle health, comprising the steps of:
attaching a diagnostic interface unit to the analog connector
assembly, the diagnostic interface unit having specialized signal
conditioning circuits and a digital-to-analog converter coupled to
a processor; and, providing the processor with algorithms to be
able to diagnose and prognosticate present and future problems
relative to the vehicle and to provide an output of the diagnosis
or prognosis information.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal conditioning circuits
include multiplexer circuits to enable the processor to
simultaneously process multiple signals.
3. The method of claim 1, and further including coupling the output
of the processor to on-board diagnostic equipment.
4. The method of claim 3, and further including coupling the output
of the processor to an off-board diagnostic computer.
5. Apparatus for the detecting of signals available from a vehicle
for use in diagnosis and prognostication, comprising: an analog
connector assembly embedded at said vehicle and adapted to provide
signals useful in diagnosis and prognostication related to said
vehicle; and, a digital interface unit adapted to be connected to
said analog connector assembly and carrying signal conditioning
circuits, filtering circuits, multiplexing circuits, and an
analog-to-digital converter for converting conditioned and
multiplexed signals into digital signals, said digital signals
being coupled to a processor, said diagnostic interface unit
including an output connector assembly adapted to output signals
from said processor to diagnostic or prognosticating computers.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said diagnostic or
prognosticating computers are embedded in said vehicle.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said diagnostic or
prognosticating computers are external to said vehicle.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said diagnostic interface unit
includes a housing, a diagnostic connector assembly at one end of
said housing adapted to connect to said analog connector, a circuit
board within said housing carrying at least said processor, and
said output connector assembly includes an output connector at an
end of said housing opposite the end at which said diagnostic
connector assembly is mounted.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said vehicle includes a bus
and wherein said diagnostic interface unit is coupled to said
bus.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said bus is adapted to be
coupled to a processing module.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said processing module
includes one of a sensor interface unit and a portable maintenance
aid.
12. The apparatus of claim 9, and further including at least one of
a electronic control unit and transmission control unit coupled to
said bus.
13. The apparatus of claim 10, and further including a vehicle bus
coupled to said processing module and further including at least
one of a central tire inflation module and automatic braking module
coupled to said vehicle bus.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, and further including a discrete
sensor coupled to said processing module.
15. The apparatus of claim 10, and further including a GPS receiver
coupled to said processing module.
16. The apparatus of claim 10, and wherein said processing module
supports at least one of an 802.11 communications network, a USB
bus, a VGA bus, an RS-422 bus and a Gig-E x 2 bus.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims rights under 35 USC .sctn.119(e)
from U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/154,588 filed Feb. 23, 2009, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to embedded vehicle diagnostic
systems and more particularly to interface units supporting
embedded diagnostics for existing analog diagnostic connector
assemblies.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the past, diagnostic connector assemblies (DCAs) have
been built into legacy military vehicles typically for associated
analog sensor measurements from the engine or transmission. These
diagnostic connectors were used in conjunction with specialized
test equipment, in which the test equipment was typically brought
out to a vehicle after a problem was encountered. When not in use,
the diagnostic connector assembly is protected by a dust cover.
This concept of operation does not provide constant, real time
monitoring because the test equipment had to be moved up to a
vehicle each time testing was required. This increases the
logistical footprint because of added test equipment for maintainer
to bring forward, as well as test equipment to be maintained over
the extended life cycle of the platform. Significantly, the special
test equipment used in the past was only effective after a failure
because on board vehicle health was not continually monitored.
[0004] A significant number of about 200,000 or more of the older
legacy military vehicle fleet have analog diagnostic connector
assembly connectors for troubleshooting older engines and
transmissions. Use of these connectors in troubleshooting requires
specialized test equipment and experienced personnel provided with
detailed technical instructions. Support of the specialized test
equipment and personnel training increases cost of the support
function and increased the logistics footprint.
[0005] Condition Based Maintenance (CBM+) concepts are now
regularly deployed that require digitally formatted data for
vehicle and fleet health monitoring and fault isolation, and that
there is a desire and need to lower legacy vehicle total ownership
costs.
[0006] By way of further background, for older analog military
vehicles it was important to be able to perform diagnostic testing
on their combustion engines and transmissions. In order to do this
these vehicles were provided with a diagnostic connector assembly
which was simply a connector to connect analog signals on a vehicle
bus to test equipment that was pulled up to perform the diagnostic
function. It is noted that in these legacy vehicles there was
nothing embedded in the vehicle to support diagnostics.
[0007] Moreover, the future requires taking advantage of signals
and pin outs in which signals that are measured are measured for
both the combustion engine and the transmission. It is therefore
important that a diagnostic interface unit apply a new technology
mount to the diagnostic connector assembly and the vehicle, stay on
the vehicle and therefore be embedded, and provide a microprocessor
such that diagnostic inferences can be made with respect to the
vehicle. Additionally, it would be important that diagnostic
expertise be installed within the module, with the programming
providing the module with an understanding of the phenomenology
associated with for instance, both the engine and the transmission,
thus to be able to develop diagnostic conclusions for detection and
isolation of faults; and to be able to do this at the vehicle.
[0008] A need exists, therefore, for a diagnostic connector
assembly interface unit that avoids the above disadvantages and
allows for digitally formatted data for vehicle and fleet
maintenance and lower legacy vehicle total ownership costs.
[0009] Note, telenostic systems are described in the following U.S.
Patent Applications, filed on even date herewith, assigned to the
assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference: Ser. No.
______ (docket number BAEP 1141) In Service Support Center and
Method of Operation, Ser. No. ______ (docket number BAEP 1159)
Telenostics, Ser. No. ______ (docket number BAEP 1160) Portable
Performance Support Device and Method for Use, Ser. No. ______
(docket number BAEP 1161) Telenostics Performance Logic, and Ser.
No. ______ (docket number BAEP 1162) Telenostics Certify.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0010] In order to solve the above problems a low cost connector
assembly or module is provided that translates the analog
diagnostic connector assembly signals into a digital format
suitable for computer based analysis and fault diagnosis on an
individual vehicle and on a vehicle fleet basis. The module
discussed above is referred to herein as a diagnostic interface
unit or DIU.
[0011] The subject diagnostic interface unit in one embodiment can
take the output of a legacy diagnostic connector assembly and
modify it or interface it. In another embodiment, it is the purpose
of the diagnostic interface unit to interface to the older vehicles
that have only the diagnostic connector and provide an embedded
diagnostics capability where none had previously been embedded in
the vehicle.
[0012] In the embodiments to be described the diagnostic interface
unit plugs into the analog connectors used on legacy vehicles that
were not part of a modernization exercise which would have involved
an embedded diagnostic controller, embedded along with the engine
and transmission, but was connected to or plugged into a bigger
diagnostic system.
[0013] It will be appreciated that what is unique about providing
the subject diagnostic interface unit is that the unit itself is
uploaded with diagnostic knowledge and programming of what is
required to be done in order to perform the diagnostics, for
instance for both engines and transmissions; and then to understand
the specific signal measurement requirements to perform the
diagnostic tests on these vehicles.
[0014] What is unique to the subject diagnostic interface unit is a
combination of technology that ascertains or knows what one is to
measure, the signal conditions that are to be measured as well as
the signal parameters, all in conjunction with diagnostics
expertise. This then permits the diagnostic interface unit to take
advantage of the signals that are offered and to make useful
diagnostic conclusions.
[0015] It is noted that all previous diagnostics were accomplished
off board with external test equipment. This test equipment had to
be plugged into the legacy connectors and were not embedded or
on-board.
[0016] It will be appreciated that until the subject invention, no
device could be hooked up and stay resident and permanently
attached to a vehicle connector so that the processing is in fact
resident on board the vehicle to provide the diagnostics, with the
results brought out to crew or maintainers at the vehicle.
[0017] Thus, the subject system provides simple universal interface
diagnostic conclusions similar to those available using older
external diagnostic test equipment. Moreover, the subject interface
provides a new level of diagnostics, more accurate levels of
diagnosis and provides information roll up that is different that
which was provided by the old pieces of test equipment.
[0018] It is also important that the subject interface unit permit
transmission of the relevant information to the available crew on
the platform or maintainers at the platform. To this end, the
subject diagnostic interface unit is provided with connectivity to
on board computers in the vehicle, either a mission computer or a
dedicated platform diagnostic computer with or without in-vehicle
display. Moreover, the subject diagnostic interface unit achieves
connectivity to new or existing pieces of test equipment that
maintainers that go to the vehicle have available. These include
such devices as portable maintenance aids (PMA) or maintenance
support devices (MSDs).
[0019] Thus, the subject diagnostic interface unit can be connected
to a diagnostic or mission computer that is resident on the vehicle
or could be connected to an externally-provided portable
maintenance aid or a maintenance support device laptop.
[0020] In one embodiment the diagnostic interface unit has very
specific signal conditioning circuits to address the types of
signals that one is measuring. This includes the types of voltages
that may be required to be measured, especially by certain types of
bridge circuits that are typically in transducers coupled to the
vehicle. In short, the diagnostic interface unit addresses
analog-level signals. Thus, the diagnostic interface units are very
specific and sensitive to the type of information that is to be
captured. In one embodiment, the diagnostic interface units also
include filter circuits and diode detector circuits that perform
sampling, signal conditioning and sometimes provide diagnostic test
stimulus in order to perform the diagnostic tests required.
[0021] The diagnostic interface unit in one embodiment includes
multiplexers for multiplexing the detected information and
amplifiers to amplify the detected signals to appropriate
levels.
[0022] Moreover, the diagnostic interface unit is provided with
analog-to-digital conversion circuits that are coupled to a digital
signal processor, with the powering for the diagnostic interface
unit being provided by a power supply which often as not is
filtered.
[0023] The system therefore connects to the dedicated analog
connector that has existed for perhaps the last 30 years, stays
connected in tactical operation and provides a device for
digitizing the analog signals available from legacy vehicles, and
also to provide embedded diagnostic capabilities where there were
none.
[0024] In summary, a diagnostic interface unit is provided with
intelligence and is adaptable for servicing not only legacy
vehicles with legacy diagnostic connector assemblies, but also is
programmable for use with vehicles that have diagnostic
capabilities that exceed that provided on the legacy vehicles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] These and other features of the subject invention will be
better understood in connection with the Detailed Description, in
conjunction with the Drawings, of which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a diagnostic
interface unit made to be resident at a vehicle;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic component view of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 3 is a schematic system view of a preferred embodiment
of the diagnostic interface unit of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Referring to FIG. 1, a diagnostic connector assembly in the
form of a diagnostic interface unit 10 eliminates the need for
special test equipment while providing constant, real time
monitoring. Diagnostic interface unit 10 includes a vehicle
connector assembly 12 at one end of an outer cylindrical housing
14. Housing 14 slips over an inner cylindrical housing 16 that is
apertured to expose a printed circuit board assembly 18 having
contact pads connected to the connectors of connector assembly 12.
An RS-422 or like connector 20 is used to connect the output of
board 18 to a diagnostic computer 22.
[0030] The diagnostic interface unit approximates a modern engine
sensing unit, and is adapted to be permanently installed on
vehicles to provide constant engine status that allows health and
status awareness, as well as, interactive diagnostics and
prognostics. The diagnostic interface unit provides an analog
interface with signal conditioning and switching, a digitizer with
an analog-to-digital converter, a processor, and an industry
standard SAE J1939 output at connector 20.
[0031] In one embodiment, the diagnostic connector assembly
diagnostic interface unit has the ability to sample, convert and
transmit 16 signals. Software algorithms, hosted on a portable
maintenance aid or sensor interface unit shown representationally
by diagnostic computer 22, allow interactive diagnostics for
dynamic conditions. As will be appreciated, the diagnostic
interface unit enables the Condition Based Maintenance (CBM)
desired by the military.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 2, a component view of the subject
interface is shown in which among other advantages features a
digital signal processing chip used with a flash memory.
[0033] Here it can be seen that diagnostic interface unit 10
includes a diagnostic connector assembly 30 to which are coupled
signal conditioning circuits 32, the outputs of which are coupled
to respective multiplexers 34 and 36. The multiplexers are coupled
to the inverting and non-inverting inputs of an amplifier 38 having
its output coupled to a filter 40 and thence to an
analog-to-digital converter 42. The output of the
analog-to-digital-converter is coupled to a DSP processor 44. A
power supply and filter 46 has its output applied to the
appropriate circuits requiring filtered power; and the output from
DSP processor 44 may be either coupled over a transceiver to a bus
J1939 bus 48, or CAN, with the processor's output available from
the processors' memory section 50 that may constitute an EEPROM 52,
a RAM 54 or a flash drive unit 56.
[0034] It is the purpose of the diagnostic interface unit to
provide an analog interface to the analog signals on the vehicle
bus and to condition and switch them utilizing a digitizer coupled
to an analog-to-digital converter and a processor, with the
processor housing the diagnostic tools or software to provide a
smart interface.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the diagnostic interface unit is shown
as part of a larger system in which the diagnostic interface unit
is one of several devices aboard a vehicle. Here diagnostic
interface unit 10 is coupled to the analog connector on a vehicle
60, with the output of the diagnostic interface unit being coupled
to a J1939 CAN bus, here shown at 62. Also coupled to this bus is a
transmission control unit (TCU) 63 and an engine control unit ECU
or engineering control unit 64.
[0036] Bus 62 is coupled to a processing module 70 which may
contain either a portable maintenance aid (PMA) or a sensor
interface unit (SIU).
[0037] In one embodiment a vehicle J1708 bus, is coupled to a
central tire inflation system (CTIS) module 74 along with being
coupled to an automatic braking system (ABS) module 76.
[0038] Discrete sensors 78 are also coupled directly to a
processing module 70. The output of processing module 70 is
available on a USB bus 80, a VGA bus 82 to a monitor 84, an RS-422
bus 84 and an Ethernet bus 86, here specified as a Gig-E x 2 bus.
The components shown in FIG. 3 thus constitute a larger embedded
diagnostic system that for instance has a GPS input at 88 and
supports an 802.11 link 90.
[0039] As can be seen, rather than having all the diagnostics
performed by off-board external test equipment, in the subject
invention the diagnostic interface unit permits on-board
diagnostics resident on a vehicle.
[0040] The subject system provides similar diagnostic conclusions
to those provided by older external diagnostic test equipment, but
in addition provides new levels of diagnostics, more accurate
levels of diagnostics and information rollup that is different from
that available from external pieces of test equipment.
[0041] Note, the output of the subject diagnostic interface unit
may potentially either be another computer on-board the vehicle, be
it a mission computer or a dedicated platform diagnostic computer,
or may be interfaced to external diagnostic equipment.
[0042] In either case, the results of the diagnostics are
immediately available to maintainers at the vehicle through
displays driven by the diagnostic interface unit, such as available
from portable maintenance aids or maintenance port devices. Note
that the portable maintenance aids or maintenance support devices
are names given to laptops that are available to maintainers in the
Army or the Marines which are brought up to the vehicles that are
in for diagnosis and repair.
[0043] It will be appreciated that as shown in FIG. 2 there is very
specific signal conditioning of the signals available at the input
to the diagnostic connector assembly. These diagnostic connector
assemblies are designed with knowledge of the types of signals that
one is measuring, the types of voltages that may be required, the
types of bridge circuits that are typically in transducers and the
nature of the analog levels of signals that are expected for the
particular vehicle.
[0044] The RC circuits and diode detectors provide sampling, signal
conditioning and sometimes provide stimulus for diagnostic testing
of the vehicle.
[0045] Note that the use of multiplexers enables processing of
multiplexed data streams such that more than one condition can be
monitored at one time. The signals can be further conditioned
through amplification and filtering as described above, with the
conditioned signals applied to a digital-to-analog converter and
then to a digital signal processor into which is loaded the
diagnostic algorithms employed for monitoring the particular
vehicle or the particular fleet of vehicles.
[0046] It is noted that the J1939 vehicle CAN bus is typically
available to aid in connecting diagnostic computers or electronic
control modules that provide control and diagnostics, for instance
for an automatic brake system or an engine or transmission. Here
the J1939 CAN bus provides the digital backbone that can be
dedicated to support control or diagnostics.
[0047] In summary, what is provided for dedicated analog connectors
that have existed on vehicles for the past 30 years is an interface
unit to digitize these signals and provide embedded diagnostic
capabilities where heretofore there was none.
[0048] While the present invention has been described in connection
with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be
understood that other similar embodiments may be used or
modifications or additions may be made to the described embodiment
for performing the same function of the present invention without
deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be
limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth
and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended
claims.
* * * * *