Mobile device and computer-implemented method for identifying a drive component of a vehicle drive system

Abstract

Mobile device (100) for identifying a drive component of a drive system of a vehicle (200), comprising: a receiver unit (110) that is configured to: Receiving and / or generating an acoustic recording of a vehicle (200) with a drive and with at least one drive component at least during operation of the drive at at least one rotational speed; Receiving and / or generating a speed signal that indicates at least one speed during the operation of the drive; a storage unit (120) configured to store a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer drive component of the drive with a target order line in an order spectrum; a processor (130) that is configured to: Performing an order analysis based on the acoustic Recording and the at least one rotational speed of the rotational speed signal; determining the at least one drive component as the manufacturer's drive component when an actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line, wherein the receiver unit (110) comprises a microphone configured to record the acoustic recording at least during operation of the drive and to generate the acoustic recording, wherein the receiver unit (110) comprises an image acquisition sensor, in particular a camera, configured to record the rotational speed signal, wherein the rotational speed signal is a rotational speed signal that can be generated by a tachometer of the vehicle (200) and the image acquisition sensor is configured to generate a recording of the rotational speed signal from the tachometer, and wherein the processor (130) is further configured to determine at least one rotational speed based on the rotational speed signal.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mobile terminal and a computer-implemented method for identifying a drive component of a vehicle drive.

[0002] Acoustic problems in the drive system of a vehicle, such as a passenger car, usually manifest as noises that are dependent on the engine speed and are often not tolerated by the end customer. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce or even eliminate particularly disturbing noises during the development of a drive component (e.g., transmission) so that they are no longer audible in the final product or finished vehicle.

[0003] Analyzing whether a component is audible to the end customer can usually only be done in the final vehicle, as the acoustics are significantly influenced by the overall system. The drive components are difficult to access in the finished vehicle, and the vehicle itself consists of components from various suppliers. Consequently, it is challenging to correctly attribute audible noises to their source components.

[0004] To solve this problem, acoustics departments employ a method called order analysis. Here, the spectrum of a sound signal (structure-borne / airborne sound) is represented not by its frequency, but by multiples of the rotational frequency of a rotating reference wave. This creates the dimensionless quantity "order." Particularly when the rotational speed of the reference wave is typically variable, such as during accelerated driving, the order or order line in an order spectrum remains constant for a specific excitation component and is characteristic of that component. Compared to classical frequency analysis, this allows for the simple and reliable identification of the (interfering) drive component, provided that a known excitation, and therefore one whose position in the order is expected, is involved. Conversely, a known drive component can be ruled out as the cause if no identification is possible.

[0005] Traditionally, for such analyses, a measuring system is installed in the vehicle, which reads the rotational speed via magnetic or optical speed sensors on the transmission or via an electrical tap of the drive speed via an OBD port (CAN) and simultaneously records audio recordings via a microphone in the interior or a structure-borne sound sensor on the drive components.

[0006] Subsequently, for example, an order analysis can be performed and displayed on a computer.

[0007] Installing the measuring equipment usually requires a lifting platform and several hours of labor. A root cause analysis therefore requires a correspondingly large amount of time, effort, and expense.

[0008] Order lines of interest are extracted from the order analysis and then compared with a database of drive components to find the causative exciter in the drive component (for example, a specific gear) or, if the noise does not originate from this component, to rule out that the component is responsible for the noise.

[0009] The state of the art is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2019 117 817 A1 and DE 10 2016 206 809 A1.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile device and a computer-implemented method that solve or at least improve upon one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile device and a computer-implemented method that identify a drive component of a drive in a simple and fast manner.

[0011] The task is solved, according to a first aspect, by a mobile device for identifying a drive component of a vehicle's drive system. This device comprises a receiver unit configured to receive and / or generate an acoustic recording of a vehicle with a drive system and at least one drive component, at least during operation of the drive system at at least one rotational speed. Furthermore, the receiver unit is configured to receive and / or generate a rotational speed signal indicating the at least one rotational speed during drive system operation. The mobile device also includes a storage unit configured to store a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer's drive component of the drive system with a target order line within an order spectrum.Furthermore, the mobile device includes a processor that is set up to perform an order analysis based on the acoustic recording and at least one rotational speed of the rotational speed signal, and to determine at least one drive component as the manufacturer's drive component if an actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line.

[0012] The mobile device can be a mobile phone equipped with a microphone, allowing for easy recording of the audio signal. This could be, for example, a mobile phone belonging to the driver and / or passenger. Furthermore, the engine speed signal can be transmitted wirelessly to the mobile device during and / or after the audio recording. The vehicle can be equipped with an on-board diagnostics (OBD) port and an OBD dongle, specifically an OBD Bluetooth dongle, configured to transmit the engine speed signal to the mobile device via a wireless communication connection, particularly Bluetooth. Accordingly, an order analysis can be performed using the mobile device, and the results of this analysis can be compared with the powertrain component database. Consequently, no complex measurement equipment needs to be installed in the vehicle.The process can be executed live during operation, particularly while the vehicle is in motion. This enables rapid commissioning.

[0013] The acoustic recording can characterize the sound of the vehicle, especially the drive components. In particular, the sound can be recorded during the operation of the drive system.

[0014] The manufacturer's drive component can be a drive component from a single manufacturer. The vehicle can consist of drive components from various manufacturers. Therefore, it is desirable to assign drive components to their respective manufacturers in a completed vehicle, both during operation and based on recordings. For example, if an unusual noise is detected on a component from a particular manufacturer, that manufacturer can be identified and contacted.

[0015] The processor is configured to identify at least one drive component as the manufacturer's drive component when the actual order line of the drive component matches the target order line in the order analysis. Matching the actual order line with the target order line can include matching within a predetermined threshold range. This can be advantageous if the receiving unit is not calibrated and / or provides insufficient recording resolution. The threshold range can include a predetermined (sound) level range and / or order line range, where the level range is a (sound) level range around a (sound) level of the target order line, and the order line range is a range of order lines around the target order line. The order line range can be 1, 0.5, or, in particular, 0.1 order lines.Alternatively or additionally, overtuning can be performed based on a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The SNR can be calculated as the median of (sound) levels along predetermined order lines, where the predetermined order lines are those before and after the target order line. For example, the target order line could be the 10th order line, with the predetermined order lines being the 6th to 9th and the 11th to 14th orders. The SNR can be specified in dB. The threshold can be 3 dB, 6 dB, 10 dB, or 20 dB. This allows for the consideration of noise during recording.

[0016] Alternatively or additionally, the processor can be trained to identify the drive component as a drive component not belonging to a manufacturer based on a deviation of the drive component's order line from the target order line.

[0017] The mobile device can include a display unit configured to show at least one of the acoustic recording, the speed signal, the order analysis, the actual order line, the identified manufacturer's drive component, and the target order line. Accordingly, a display can be provided directly in the vehicle and / or on the mobile device. As described below, multiple actual order lines can be determined. The display unit can be configured to show one, several, or all of the multiple actual order lines. Furthermore, multiple manufacturer's drive components can be identified, as described below, and the display unit can be configured to output one, several, or all of the identified manufacturer's drive components.

[0018] Furthermore, the proposed terminal makes it possible to perform a root cause analysis of an acoustic problem in the vehicle in a very short time.

[0019] The drive component database characterizes at least one manufacturer's drive component with its target order line within the order spectrum. The development of drive noise can be linked to the drive's rotational speed, as one or more sound emissions generated by the drive component repeat after each revolution, depending on the angle of rotation. The resulting periodic vibrations correspond in frequency to the drive's rotational speed or its multiples. Frequencies corresponding to the rotational speed or its multiples can be referred to as orders. Order analysis can calculate the level or level profile of these orders. Order analysis can characterize rotational speed on the x-axis and order on the y-axis.This plot allows the order of a drive component to be viewed as an order line, since the order line exhibits a constant order across different rotational speeds. The order line can be straight. The drive component database can characterize the target order lines of at least one or more manufacturer drive components and / or vehicles.

[0020] The target operating line of the manufacturer's drive component can specify an operating line that corresponds to normal operation and / or characterizes a normal noise level of the manufacturer's drive component. A manufacturer's drive component can be considered normal if it exhibits the usual and / or expected (sound) level at at least one target operating line.

[0021] During operation of the drive, operating the drive may include providing at least one rotational speed, in particular to a main drive shaft of the vehicle.

[0022] The drive unit may be installed in the vehicle and / or the vehicle may be fully assembled. In its assembled and / or finished state, the vehicle should not exhibit any unusual noises, so an analysis of the finished vehicle is preferable. Alternatively or additionally, the mobile device may be configured to analyze a drive unit that is not yet installed in a vehicle or not intended for installation, such as in a machine tool where the drive unit powers a tool and not a vehicle.

[0023] The propulsion system can be an engine. The engine can be a fuel-powered engine and / or an electric motor.

[0024] The vehicle can be a car, bus, motorcycle, scooter, boat, aircraft, or the like. In particular, it can be a vehicle powered by a fuel-operated and / or electric motor.

[0025] The receiver unit includes a microphone designed to capture and generate the acoustic signal, at least during operation of the drive system. Alternatively or additionally, the receiver unit can receive the acoustic signal from an external unit, such as a microphone installed in the vehicle. The vehicle may include a communication unit for sending and / or receiving signals.

[0026] The receiver unit comprises an image capture sensor, in particular a camera, configured to record the speed signal, wherein the speed signal is a speed signal generated by a tachometer of the vehicle, and the image capture sensor is configured to generate a recording of the speed signal from the tachometer. The speed signal can be a video recording showing the tachometer. Alternatively or additionally, the speed signal can be received from a speed sensor of the vehicle. The speed sensor can be an OBD sensor configured to determine the speed of the vehicle's main drive shaft and to generate the speed signal. Furthermore, the OBD sensor or the vehicle's communication unit can be configured to transmit the speed signal to the receiver unit, in particular by means of wireless communication such as Bluetooth.

[0027] The receiver unit can be configured to receive the recording and / or speed signal from one or more external units, particularly those of the vehicle, such as the communication unit, microphone, and / or OBD sensor. The receiver unit and / or mobile device can, in particular, include a transceiver that is configured to receive the recording and / or speed signal.

[0028] The mobile device can be a mobile phone, a tablet, or a laptop. It can be configured to be portable by a user and / or placed in the vehicle. This allows for a simple analysis of the vehicle.

[0029] The receiver unit can be configured to query the powertrain component database from a network, a cloud, and / or an external device, receive it, and store it on the storage unit. The receiver unit can also be configured to query at least part of the powertrain component database. The mobile device can be configured to identify the vehicle type and / or model, obtain corresponding vehicle type information, and / or store it on the storage unit. Based on the identified vehicle type and / or model, the system can query the powertrain component database for those manufacturer components that are assigned to and / or installed in that vehicle. This allows for a reduction in storage requirements by storing only a portion of the powertrain component database.

[0030] The terminal device can be configured to identify the manufacturer's drive component during operation. Consequently, a live analysis of the vehicle can be performed.

[0031] The order analysis can encompass a multitude of actual order lines of the at least one drive component. The order analysis can have a predetermined order line resolution, which is in particular 0.1 order lines. The processor can be configured to determine the multitude of actual order lines. Determining the multitude of actual order lines can involve identifying one, several, or all peaks, in particular (sound) level peaks, in the order analysis. The processor can further be configured to identify the order lines with the peaks as the actual order lines of the multitude of actual order lines and to compare them with the target order line. The processor can further be configured to identify the drive components as the manufacturer's drive component if one of the multitude of actual order lines matches the target order line.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the powertrain component database can characterize a large number of manufacturer powertrain components with their respective target order lines. Furthermore, the vehicle can comprise a large number of powertrain components. The processor can be configured to perform an order analysis of the data and determine a large number of actual order lines, particularly based on identifying peaks in the order analysis. The large number of actual order lines can then be compared with the large number of target order lines using the processor. If there is a match, one or more manufacturer powertrain components can be identified.

[0033] The processor can be further configured to output powertrain component information that characterizes at least one of the identified manufacturer's powertrain component, the vehicle, and the vehicle type and model. This information is derived from the order analysis, at least one of the actual order lines, at least one of the target order lines (in particular, the target order line that is assignable to and / or corresponds to the actual order line). The powertrain component information can be output to the vehicle, a vehicle manufacturer, a workshop, and / or the driver.

[0034] The drive component database can characterize two, three or more manufacturer drive components and their target order lines.

[0035] According to a second aspect, the task is solved by a system comprising a vehicle with a drive and at least one drive component and an end device according to the first aspect.

[0036] The features of the mobile device described above according to the first aspect can be described as features of the system according to the second aspect.

[0037] The vehicle may include an image capture sensor, in particular a camera, and / or a speed sensor for recording the speed signal, and / or an acoustic sensor, in particular a microphone, for recording the signal, wherein the vehicle is configured to provide the speed signal and / or the recording to the mobile device. The vehicle may additionally or alternatively include an OBD sensor configured to determine the speed and output the speed signal.

[0038] According to a third aspect, the task is solved by a computer-implemented method for identifying a drive component of a vehicle's drive system using a mobile device. The method comprises the steps of receiving and / or generating, using a mobile device, an acoustic recording of a vehicle with a drive system and at least one drive component, at least during operation of the drive system at at least one rotational speed, and receiving and / or generating, using the mobile device, a rotational speed signal indicating the at least one rotational speed during operation of the drive system.The procedure further comprises storing, using the mobile device, a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer drive component of the drive with a target order line in an order spectrum, executing, using the mobile device, an order analysis based on the acoustic recording and at least one rotational speed of the speed signal, and determining, using the mobile device, at least one drive component as the manufacturer drive component if an actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line.

[0039] The previously described characteristics of the terminal device according to the first aspect and / or of the system according to the second aspect can be implemented as procedural characteristics of the procedure according to the third aspect.

[0040] According to a fourth aspect, the task is solved by a computer program product comprising commands that cause the mobile device to execute the procedural steps according to the third aspect, according to the first aspect.

[0041] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a mobile device for identifying a drive component of a vehicle drive; Fig. 2. a schematic representation of a vehicle; and Fig. 3 A schematic representation of a computer-implemented method for identifying a drive component of a vehicle drive system.

[0042] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally equivalent or similar elements are designated with the same reference symbols.

[0043] Fig. Figure 1 shows a mobile device 100 comprising a receiver unit 110, a storage unit 120, a processor 130, and a transceiver 140. The mobile device 100 is a mobile phone, but can also be a tablet, a laptop, or similar device, and the mobile device 100 is not limited to a mobile phone. The mobile phone 100 can be carried by a person, for example, a driver or passenger, and placed in a vehicle 200, see Figure 1. Fig. 2.

[0044] The receiver unit 110 of the mobile phone 100 includes a microphone configured to record and generate an acoustic recording of the vehicle 200, at least while its drive system is operating at at least one rotational speed. This can be done, for example, by recording inside the vehicle cabin. Alternatively or additionally, the recording can be made outside the vehicle 200.

[0045] The vehicle 200 includes an OBD sensor configured to determine the rotational speed of at least one main drive shaft of the vehicle 200. Specifically, the OBD sensor determines the rotational speed during operation of the drive and generates a speed signal that characterizes the rotational speed during operation. The OBD sensor is further configured to transmit the speed signal wirelessly to the transmitter 140 of the mobile phone 100. The transmitter 140 is configured to provide the speed signal to the receiver unit 110.

[0046] Consequently, the mobile phone 100 has, on the one hand, the acoustic recording with the recorded sound level of the vehicle 200 during the operation of the drive at at least one speed, and on the other hand, the speed signal that indicates the speed during the acoustic recording.

[0047] The storage unit 120 is designed to store a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer drive component of the drive with a target order line in an order spectrum.

[0048] The driver or a user of mobile phone 100 can enter information into mobile phone 100 to characterize the type and / or model of vehicle 200. Alternatively or additionally, mobile phone 100 can be configured to determine the type and / or model of vehicle 200. For example, the receiving unit 110, in particular the camera of mobile phone 100, can capture an image of vehicle 200 and determine its type and / or model. Depending on the type and / or model, different drive components are installed in vehicle 200, so the drive component database only stores a portion of the drive components or target sequences to reduce storage requirements.

[0049] Furthermore, the transceiver 140 can be configured to query the drive component database, at least partially, from a network, a cloud, a computer, another device, the vehicle 200, and / or another mobile device via a communication connection, in particular a wireless communication connection. The query can characterize the type and / or nature of the vehicle 200. Alternatively or additionally, the complete drive component database can be queried. Different manufacturers can each provide a drive component database containing their respective drive components. In this case, the respective drive component database of one or more of the manufacturers can be queried, at least partially, via the mobile device 100, in particular the transceiver 140.The mobile device 100, in particular the processor 130 and / or the memory, can be configured to merge the various drive component databases into a single drive component database. For example, the requested drive component database from a manufacturer is received from the cloud by the transmitter / receiver 140 and stored in the storage unit 120. The request can be made, in particular, if the mobile device 100 has a wireless connection, especially an internet connection. Alternatively or additionally, the drive component database can be pre-loaded on the storage unit 120.

[0050] The processor 130 of the mobile phone 100 is configured to perform an order analysis based on the acoustic recording and at least one rotational speed signal. Furthermore, the processor 130 is configured to identify at least one drive component as a manufacturer's drive component if the actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line of the drive component.

[0051] Consequently, a live analysis of the vehicle can be performed using a mobile phone (100%) without the need for complex measuring equipment. In particular, it can be determined whether a manufacturer-supplied drive component is affected or a drive component from another manufacturer. Furthermore, the analysis can be performed quickly and easily.

[0052] The mobile device 100 can further be configured to output drive component information that characterizes at least one of the order analysis, the actual order line, the manufacturer's drive component, and the target order line. The drive component information can be sent to the vehicle 200, a manufacturer of the vehicle 200, a workshop, another mobile device, a manufacturer of the drive component, and / or a seller of the vehicle 200 via the transmitter-receiver 140.

[0053] The Fig. Figure 2 shows the mobile device 100 inside the vehicle 200. Alternatively, the mobile device 100 can be located outside the vehicle 200 to perform the analysis.

[0054] Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a computer-implemented method 300 for identifying a drive component of a drive system of a vehicle 200 using a mobile device 100. The method 300 can be executed by the mobile device 100. Fig.1. Method 300 comprises receiving and / or generating 310, by means of the mobile device 100, in particular by means of the receiving unit 110, an acoustic recording of the vehicle 300 with a drive and with at least one drive component at least during operation of the drive at at least one rotational speed, and receiving and / or generating 320, by means of the mobile device 100, in particular by means of the receiving unit 110, a rotational speed signal indicating the at least one rotational speed during operation of the drive. Method 300 further comprises storing 330, by means of the mobile device 100, in particular by means of the storage unit 120, a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer drive component of the drive with a target order line in an order spectrum.The method 300 further comprises executing 340, using the mobile device 100, in particular using the processor 130, an order analysis based on the acoustic recording and the at least one rotational speed of the rotational speed signal, and determining 350, using the mobile device 100, in particular using the processor 130, at least one drive component as a manufacturer drive component if an actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line.

[0055] Accordingly, a simple and quick order analysis of the vehicle 200 can be carried out using the mobile device 100. Reference sign 100 mobile devices 110 receiver unit 120 storage units 130 processor 140 transceivers 200 vehicles 300 computer-implemented procedures 310 Receiving and / or creating an acoustic recording 320 Receiving and / or generating a speed signal 330 Saving a drive component database 340 Performing an order analysis 350 Determining at least one drive component as the manufacturer's drive component

Claims

[1] Mobile device (100) for identifying a drive component of a drive of a vehicle (200), comprising: a receiver unit (110) that is configured to: Receiving and / or generating an acoustic recording of a vehicle (200) with a drive and with at least one drive component at least during operation of the drive at at least one rotational speed; Receiving and / or generating a speed signal that indicates at least one speed during the operation of the drive; a storage unit (120) configured to store a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer drive component of the drive with a target order line in an order spectrum; a processor (130) that is configured to: Performing an order analysis based on the acoustic Recording and the at least one rotational speed of the rotational speed signal; determining the at least one drive component as the manufacturer's drive component when an actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line, wherein the receiver unit (110) comprises a microphone configured to record the acoustic recording at least during operation of the drive and to generate the acoustic recording, wherein the receiver unit (110) comprises an image acquisition sensor, in particular a camera, configured to record the rotational speed signal, wherein the rotational speed signal is a rotational speed signal that can be generated by a tachometer of the vehicle (200) and the image acquisition sensor is configured to generate a recording of the rotational speed signal from the tachometer, and wherein the processor (130) is further configured to determine at least one rotational speed based on the rotational speed signal. [2] Terminal (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver unit (110) is configured to receive the recording and / or speed signal from one or more external units, in particular the vehicle (200), wherein the receiver unit (110) in particular comprises a transceiver at least equipped to receive the recording and / or the speed signal. [3] Terminal device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the mobile terminal device (100) is a mobile phone, a tablet or a laptop. [4] Terminal device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver unit (110) is configured to request the drive component database from a network, a cloud and / or an external unit, to receive it and to store it on the storage unit (120). [5] Terminal device (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal device (100) is configured to determine the manufacturer's drive component during operation of the drive. [6] Terminal device (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the processor (130) is further configured to output drive component information that characterizes at least one of the order analysis, the actual order line, the manufacturer drive component, the target order line and an assignment, wherein the assignment indicates the determination of the drive component as the manufacturer drive component. [7] System comprising a vehicle (200) with a drive and at least one drive component and an end device (100) according to any of the preceding claims. [8] System according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle (200) comprises an image recording sensor, in particular a camera and / or a speed sensor for recording the speed signal and / or an acoustic sensor, in particular a microphone for recording, wherein the vehicle (200) is configured to provide the speed signal and / or the recording to the mobile terminal (100). [9] Computer-implemented method (300) for identifying a drive component of a drive of a vehicle (200) using a mobile device (100), comprising: Receiving and / or generating (310) an acoustic recording of a vehicle (200) with a drive and with at least one drive component at least during operation of the drive at at least one rotational speed, using a mobile device (100), wherein the acoustic recording is made with a microphone of the mobile device (100); Receiving and / or generating (320) by means of the mobile device (100) a speed signal indicating at least one speed during the operation of the drive, wherein the speed signal is recorded with an image recording sensor, in particular a camera, wherein the speed signal is a speed signal that can be generated by a tachometer of the vehicle (200) and the image recording sensor is configured to generate a recording of the speed signal from the tachometer, and wherein the speed is determined based on the speed signal by means of a processor (130) of the mobile device; Storing (330), using the mobile device (100), a drive component database that characterizes at least one manufacturer drive component of the drive with a target order line in an order spectrum; Execute (340), using the mobile device (100), an order analysis based on the acoustic recording and at least one rotational speed of the rotational speed signal; Determine (350), using the mobile device (100), which identifies at least one drive component as the manufacturer's drive component, if the actual order line of the drive component in the order analysis matches the target order line. [10] Computer program product comprising commands that cause the mobile terminal (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 to perform the method steps according to claim 9.

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