System for detecting a fault in a vehicle

Abstract

System for detecting a fault in a vehicle (1), wherein the system comprises a light guidance system.

Description

Technical area

[0001] The invention relates to a system for detecting a fault according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a vehicle, a method, a computer program and a computer-readable medium according to the independent claims. State of the art

[0002] Vehicles typically contain a multitude of sensors, for example, sensors that detect malfunctions or faults in vehicles. For example, there are sensors in vehicles that monitor the vehicle's condition, for example, to detect an impact and thus trigger an airbag. The sensors themselves and the wiring for such sensors often represent a significant cost factor. The installation of such sensors is also often complicated. Furthermore, there is constant potential for optimization regarding the functionality and performance of such sensor systems. General description of the invention

[0003] The object of the invention is to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0004] The problem is solved by a system for detecting a malfunction in a vehicle, wherein the system comprises a fiber optic system. A "malfunction" is understood to mean, for example, damage to a vehicle component, such as a body part or a chassis part. Another example of a malfunction that can be detected with the system according to the invention is an attempted break-in into the vehicle or any other functional impairment of the vehicle, or even a combination of damage, functional impairment, and / or attempted break-in. In other words, the term "malfunction" is to be understood broadly.

[0005] The invention is based on the finding that a fiber optic system for detecting faults in vehicles has advantages over the solutions known from the prior art because such a fiber optic system is relatively easy to install, because the high speed of light enables very fast signal transmission, which is extremely important, for example, when an airbag is triggered, and because in such a system it is relatively easy to draw conclusions about a fault in a vehicle from a malfunction of the lighting system.

[0006] In typical embodiments, the system is suitable for feeding an input signal into the fiber optic system and detecting an output signal from the fiber optic system and analyzing the output signal. Optionally, the system is also suitable for detecting a change in the fiber optic system based on the analysis. The “input signal” is understood to mean an optical input signal, for example a luminous flux generated by a laser, an LED system, an OLED system, or another light source. The “output signal” is understood to mean an optical output signal that leaves the fiber optic system at an output or end point. In typical embodiments, the input signal comprises a plurality of input sub-signals. In typical embodiments, the output signal comprises a plurality of output sub-signals.In cases where the output signal comprises a plurality of output sub-signals, the analysis in certain embodiments is a separate analysis of each individual output sub-signal. In certain embodiments, it is also possible for the analysis to comprise or be a combined analysis of a plurality of output sub-signals. In typical embodiments, the analysis comprises a measurement of an optical signal level and / or a measurement of an optical power and / or an OTDR measurement, where OTDR is an abbreviation for "optical time domain reflectometry." In typical embodiments, the analysis comprises at least one further measurement suitable for analyzing and / or characterizing an optical signal and / or a luminous flux. In typical embodiments, the system is suitable for performing the analysis both during operation of the vehicle and while the vehicle is stationary.The use of an OTDR measurement makes it possible to pinpoint faults in the fiber optic system with pinpoint accuracy. In typical embodiments, the fiber optic system is divided into zones, and the system is typically capable of determining the zone in which the fault is present during the analysis. In typical embodiments, the analysis includes a comparison of the output signal with the input signal.

[0007] In typical embodiments, the optical fiber system comprises an optical communication channel, wherein the optical fiber system preferably comprises a plurality of optical communication channels, wherein at least one of the optical communication channels preferably forms a loop. In typical embodiments, each of the optical communication channels forms a loop. In typical embodiments, at least one optical communication channel comprises an optical fiber, for example a POF optical fiber or a GOF optical fiber. Here, "POF" stands for "polymer optical fiber" and "GOF" stands for "optical glass fiber." In typical embodiments, at least one optical communication channel generally comprises an optically conductive material and / or is suitable for implementing a light-guiding method.In typical embodiments, the optical communication channels are at least partially integrated into vehicle components or a combination of optical fibers and such channels. In typical embodiments, the optical communication channels are not interconnected. The use of a plurality of optical communication channels improves the quality and, for example, the granularity of fault detection compared to a single optical communication channel.

[0008] In typical embodiments, the system comprises a computing unit which is suitable for generating the input signal and feeding it into the fiber optic system and / or detecting the output signal of the fiber optic system and / or analyzing the output signal and / or detecting the fault, wherein each optical communication channel typically comprises a loop, each with a starting point and an end point, wherein each starting point and each end point are preferably connected to the computing unit, preferably directly. In typical embodiments, the starting point and the end point are identical. In other embodiments, the starting point and end point are not identical. In typical embodiments, the computing unit comprises an input signal generation module and / or an output signal detection module and / or an analysis module and / or a fault detection module.In typical embodiments, one or more of these modules is implemented at least partially using computer program code. In advantageous embodiments, the computing unit is capable of establishing a connection with a cloud and / or establishing connections with other vehicles. In typical embodiments, the computing unit is capable of sending information, data, or the like to the cloud and / or to the other vehicles.

[0009] In typical embodiments, the optical fiber system comprises at least one optical transfer point, with the optical fiber system preferably comprising a plurality of optical transfer points. Such optical transfer points typically each comprise a connector or, more generally, a device for the targeted guidance of light waves and / or a device for connecting optical fibers.

[0010] Such transfer points have the advantage of connecting two sections of an optical communication channel where uninterrupted forwarding of an optical communication channel is not possible. Furthermore, such optical transfer points can also be used to achieve a meaningful subdivision of the fiber optic system into segments or zones. In typical embodiments, each loop comprises a plurality of optical transfer points, for example, two, three, four, five, six, seven, or eight optical transfer points.

[0011] In advantageous embodiments, the system, in particular the computing unit, is suitable for initiating a corresponding action depending on the type of malfunction detected, wherein the action preferably comprises one or more elements from the following list: sending data to a cloud and / or issuing a vehicle stop command and / or issuing an autonomous driving command and / or issuing an alarm system activation command and / or issuing a security system activation command. The security system activation command can in particular be a command that triggers an airbag or activates a belt tensioner. In typical embodiments, the action comprises sending data to another vehicle or to a plurality of other vehicles.In typical embodiments, the autonomous driving command is a command that causes a vehicle in which the system is integrated to initiate a specific driving maneuver. The driving maneuver can, for example, involve slowing down, stopping on the hard shoulder, or visiting a specific location, such as a repair shop. In typical embodiments, the action in the event of a particularly serious disruption, for example, if no output signal can be detected in an optical communication channel, is to prevent the vehicle from continuing or starting.

[0012] The object is further achieved by a vehicle comprising a system according to the invention. In advantageous embodiments, the vehicle is divided into different zones, each zone comprising one or more optical communication channels.

[0013] In advantageous embodiments, the vehicle comprises a plurality of vehicle parts, wherein at least one optical communication channel is at least partially integrated into at least one of the vehicle parts. The vehicle parts are preferably body parts or chassis parts. Such integration of the optical communication channels into vehicle parts has the advantage that, for example, damage to the corresponding vehicle part can be inferred from the detection of a fault in an optical communication channel.

[0014] In advantageous embodiments, several vehicle parts each comprise at least one hollow channel, wherein the hollow channels typically form the optical communication channels, at least in part. The wording “at least in part” in this context is to be understood such that each optical communication channel can comprise one or more hollow channels. A hollow channel is typically understood to be a tube within which light can propagate. In typical embodiments, at least one of the optical communication channels, preferably a plurality of the optical communication channels, is made up of hollow channels, at least substantially. The wording “at least substantially” in this context is to be understood such that the presence of one or more optical transfer points is possible.In typical embodiments, at least one of the optical communication channels is constructed from a combination of hollow channels and separate optical fibers. Such a combination can additionally comprise other components, for example connectors for optical transfer points or the like. In typical embodiments, an optical fiber is installed in at least one of the hollow channels. In typical embodiments, the hollow channels comprise / comprise an inner coating, for example a mirror coating, which promotes the propagation of light within the hollow channels. Such use of hollow channels in vehicle parts, in particular in GRP structures, CFRP structures and / or plastic structures, has the advantage that they enable, for example, a weight reduction of the vehicle compared to solutions with separate optical fibers.In addition, such integrated hollow channels enable particularly reliable detection of damage as a fault, because damage to the respective vehicle part very often also leads to significant damage to the hollow channels and thus to the fiber optic system.

[0015] The object is further achieved by a method for detecting a fault in a vehicle, wherein the method comprises analyzing a light signal. In advantageous embodiments, the method is carried out using a system according to the invention. The system according to the invention is typically a system according to one of the previously described embodiments. Preferably, within the scope of the method, an optical input signal is fed into a fiber optic system of the vehicle, an optical output signal of the fiber optic system is detected, and an analysis of the optical output signal is carried out. In advantageous embodiments, a fault is detected based on the analysis.In advantageous embodiments, the fault is damage to a vehicle part and / or in a specific zone of the vehicle, for example a right side, a left side, a front side, a rear side, an underside or an upper side.

[0016] In typical embodiments, the method comprises a reading process, during which an optical value is read, and a comparison process, during which the optical value is compared with a target value. The fault is detected if a deviation between the optical value and the target value is greater than a threshold deviation. The optical value is typically an OTDR value, an optical signal, and / or an optical power level. The optical value is typically determined from the output signal, and the resulting optical value is read into the method.The use of such a threshold deviation has the advantage that only those optical losses in the signal transmission in the fiber optic system lead to a fault detection which are actually so large that an actual fault, for example damage or attempted theft, is sufficiently likely.

[0017] In typical embodiments, the method comprises a counting process in which cases in which there is a deviation between the optical value and the target value, but this deviation is smaller than the threshold deviation, are summed in a counting variable. Typically, the disturbance is detected when the counting variable exceeds a limit value. In typical embodiments, after the counting variable is incremented, further measurements are performed, in particular further read-in processes are performed, until the counting variable exceeds the limit value. This has the advantage that even deviations that do not result in the threshold deviation being exceeded can lead to the detection of a disturbance if such deviations occur frequently enough.

[0018] In typical embodiments, the method includes a zone determination process, in which, once the fault has been detected, a zone of the vehicle in which the fault exists is determined. In typical embodiments, a result of optical time-domain reflectometry is evaluated in the zone determination process.

[0019] The object is further achieved by a computer program comprising steps which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, a computer-readable medium comprises computer program code for implementing one of the aforementioned methods. The term "computer-readable medium" refers in particular, but not exclusively, to hard drives and / or servers and / or memory sticks and / or flash memories and / or DVDs and / or Blu-rays and / or CDs. In addition, the term "computer-readable medium" also refers to a data stream, such as that generated when a computer program product is downloaded from the Internet. Short description of the drawings

[0021] In the following, the invention is briefly explained with reference to drawings, in which: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a vehicle in a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2: a front view of the already in Fig. 1 vehicle shown; Fig. 3: a rear view of the already in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 vehicle shown; Fig. 4: a vehicle in a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5: a left side view of a vehicle in a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 6: a flowchart of a method according to the invention in a typical embodiment Description of preferred embodiments

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1 in a first embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 comprises a front zone 2, a right side zone 3, a rear zone 4, and a left side zone 5. The vehicle 1 further comprises a computing unit 6. The vehicle 1 further comprises a first optical communication channel 8, a second optical communication channel 9, and a third optical communication channel 10. The optical communication channels 8, 9, 10 each form a loop, with each of the loops passing through each of the four zones 2, 3, 4, 5. Each of the optical communication channels 8, 9, 10 comprises a start and end point 12. In Fig. 1, for the sake of clarity, only one of the start and end points 12 is provided with a reference symbol, namely the start and end point 12 for the first optical communication channel 8. All three start and end points 12 are connected to the computing unit 6. In addition, each of the three loops or each optical communication channel 8, 9, 10 comprises six optical transfer points 11, in particular three optical transfer points 11 in the right side zone 3 and three optical transfer points 11 in the left side zone 5. The optical transfer points 11 are shown as bold dots. For the sake of clarity, Fig. 1 only two of the optical transfer points 11 are provided with a reference symbol, namely an optical transfer point 11 in the left side zone 5 and an optical transfer point 11 in the right side zone 3. The computing unit 6 is suitable for exchanging data with a cloud 7. This data exchange is in Fig. 1 as a thick double arrow. In Fig. 1, a system according to the invention for detecting a fault in the vehicle 1 comprises the three optical communication channels 8, 9, 10, the optical transfer points 11, the start and end points 12 and the computing unit 6. The functioning of the invention can be explained with reference to Fig. 1 can be described as follows: the computing unit 6 feeds an input signal in the form of light into the fiber optic system, which comprises the optical communication channels 8, 9, 10, at the three starting and end points 12. The input signal is fed in the form of three input sub-signals into each of the starting and end points 12. In addition, the computing unit 6 detects the light that subsequently arrives again at the output and end points 12 as an output signal of the fiber optic system, in particular as three output sub-signals that leave the optical communication channels 8, 9, 10 again. Based on the output signals thus received, an analysis of these output signals is carried out.If, during this analysis, it is determined that, for example, the output partial signal of one of the optical communication channels 8, 9, 10 is significantly attenuated compared to the input signal, then this can be used to conclude that there is a change in the fiber optic system and in particular in the affected optical communication channel, which can then indirectly be used to conclude that there is damage or another fault at a corresponding location in the vehicle.

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the already in Fig. 1 shown vehicle 1. Thus, in Fig. 2, the front zone 2 can be seen, which is traversed by the three optical communication channels 8, 9, 10. It can be seen that the three optical communication channels 8, 9, 10 are offset in the vertical direction, thus achieving better granularity in fault detection compared to a single optical communication channel.

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a rear view of the already in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown vehicle 1. In Fig. 3 thus shows the rear zone 4 of the vehicle 1, which in turn is traversed by the optical communication channels 8, 9, 10.

[0025] Fig. Figure 4 shows a vehicle 1 in a further embodiment of the invention. In particular, the vehicle 1 shown here again comprises a front zone 2, a right side zone 3 and a rear zone 4. The vehicle 1 naturally also comprises a left side zone, which in Fig. 4 but of course is not recognizable. Vehicle 1 also includes three optical communication channels 8, 9, 10, which all serve the three zones 2, 3, 4 (and also the Fig. 4 not visible left side zone) in the form of three separate loops. In contrast to the Fig. 1 to 3, the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, however, does not include optical transfer points. In other words, the optical transfer points are optional features.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 5 shows a left side view of a vehicle 1 in a further embodiment of the invention. The vehicle 1 again comprises a plurality of zones, of which Fig. 5 the front zone 2, the left side zone 5 and the rear zone 4 are visible. In addition, the vehicle 1 here again comprises three optical communication channels 8, 9, 10, which encircle the vehicle 1 and all its zones in a loop and which are connected to a Fig. 5 unrecognizable processing unit 6 are connected. In addition, the Fig. 5, the vehicle 1 has a total of six optical transfer points 11, of which only three are provided with reference numerals for the sake of clarity. Fig. Vehicle 1 shown in Figure 5 can be seen on its Fig. 5 not shown right side zone typically also comprise six further optical transfer points 11, which are typically arranged analogously and symmetrically to the six optical transfer points 11 in the left side zone 5. The Fig. The optical transfer points 11 shown in Figure 5 are each arranged in door closing areas of the vehicle 1.

[0027] In advantageous embodiments, for example in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the optical communication channels can at least partially comprise optical fibers which are precisely laid in vehicle parts and / or which are incorporated in vehicle structures, for example in CFRP structures, GFRP structures and / or plastic structures.

[0028] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to the invention in a specific embodiment. The method begins with a start step S1 and ends with an end step S6. In typical embodiments, the method is executed in an endless loop during operation of a vehicle in which it is used. In typical embodiments, the method is also executed when the vehicle is stationary, for example, to implement an anti-theft device. The method begins with a read-in process P1, during which an optical value is read into the method. This optical value can, for example, be an optical signal, an optical power level, or an OTDR value, or can include such values.This optical value is typically generated by a measurement in a system according to the invention, namely by feeding an input signal into a fiber optic system of such a system and detecting an output signal of this fiber optic system, which is shown in the flow chart in . Fig. 1 is not explicitly shown. In other words, the Fig. The flow diagram shown in Figure 6 typically involves a feed process, in which an input signal is fed into the fiber optic system of a system according to the invention, and a detection process, in which an output signal of the fiber optic system is detected. Fig. The flowchart shown in Figure 6 then describes in detail the analysis of the received output signal, which is referred to as the optical value in this flowchart. After this optical value has been read into the process as part of the read-in process P1, this optical value is compared with a target value as part of a comparison process P5. If it is determined during this comparison process P5 that a deviation between the optical value and the target value is greater than a threshold deviation, the process proceeds to a fault confirmation process P3, in which it is confirmed that a fault exists. The fault confirmation can, for example, consist of setting a Boolean variable to the value "true".From this fault confirmation process P3, the method then proceeds to a zone determination process P6, which determines in which of the vehicle's zones the fault is present. In . Fig.In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 6, three zones are present by way of example. Depending on the zone determined in the zone determination process P6, the method then proceeds to the zone 1 action step S2, the zone 2 action step S3, or the zone 3 action step S4. It is also possible for the method to proceed to several zone action steps S2, S3, S4 in parallel. Within the scope of the zone action steps S2, S3, S4, corresponding actions are executed in response to the respective disturbance, for example, activation of a safety system such as an airbag or the like or issuance of an autonomous driving command. After executing one or more of the zone action steps S2, S3, S4, the method then proceeds to its final step S6 and is terminated.If the comparison process P5 determines that there is no deviation between the optical value and the target value, the process proceeds to its no-fault confirmation step S5, which confirms that there is currently no fault. The process then also ends with the final step S6. If the comparison process P5 determines that there is a deviation between the optical value and the target value, but that this deviation is smaller than the predefined threshold deviation, the process proceeds to the counting process P2. During the counting process P2, a counting variable is then incremented by a value of "1". The process then proceeds to the limit value testing process P7. The limit value testing process P7 checks whether the current value of the counting variable is greater than a predefined limit value.If this is not the case, a further measurement process P4 is initiated, during which another optical value is determined. This additional optical value is then made available to the read-in process P1, thus starting a new process sequence. If the counting variable is greater than the predefined limit, a fault is detected and the fault confirmation process P3 is called. From then on, the process continues as described above.

[0029] With some embodiments of the invention, for example, the following advantages can be achieved, at least temporarily and / or partially: - Improving passenger and vehicle safety - Increase security against theft - Additional information for V2X processes - Savings on sensors, e.g. inductive and capacitive sensors - targeted / precise placement of the optical fibers in the vehicle chassis - Reinforcement of the material in vehicle chassis through integrated optical fibers - Saving of sensors for chassis monitoring - Cost savings compared to using conventional sensors in conjunction with copper cables.

[0030] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. The scope of protection is defined by the patent claims. Reference symbol 1 vehicle 2 Front zone 3 right side zone 4 Rear zone 5 left side zone 6 Computing unit 7 Cloud 8 first optical communication channel 9 second optical communication channel 10 third optical communication channel 11 optical transfer points 12 start and end points P1 reading process P2 counting process P3 Fault Confirmation Process P4 Further Measurements Process P5 settlement process P6 Zone Determination Process P7 Limit value testing process S1 start step S2 Zone 1 action step S3 Zone 2 action step S4 Zone 3 Action Step S5 No-fault confirmation step S6 final step

Claims

[1] System for detecting a fault in a vehicle (1), characterized by that the system includes a fiber optic system. [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by that the system is suitable: - to feed an input signal into the fiber optic system, and - to detect an output signal of the fiber optic system, and - perform an analysis of the output signal, and - optionally detect a change in the fiber optic system based on the analysis. [3] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the light guide system comprises an optical communication channel (8, 9, 10), wherein the light guide system preferably comprises a plurality of optical communication channels (8, 9, 10), wherein at least one of the optical communication channels (8, 9, 10) preferably forms a loop. [4] System according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized bythat the system comprises a computing unit (6) which is suitable: - to generate the input signal and feed it into the fiber optic system, and / or - to detect the output signal of the fiber optic system, and / or - to perform the analysis of the output signal, and / or - to recognize the fault, - wherein typically each optical communication channel (8, 9, 10) comprises a loop each having a starting point and an end point (12), wherein preferably each starting point and each end point are connected to the computing unit (6), preferably directly. [5] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the light guide system comprises at least one optical transfer point (11), wherein the light guide system preferably comprises a plurality of optical transfer points (11). [6] System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the system, in particular the computing unit (6), is suitable for initializing a corresponding action depending on a type of detected fault, wherein the action preferably comprises one or more elements from the following list: sending data to a cloud (7) and / or issuing a vehicle stop command and / or issuing an autonomous driving command and / or issuing an alarm system activation command and / or issuing a security system activation command. [7] Vehicle (1) comprising a system according to any one of the preceding claims. [8] Vehicle (1) according to claim 7, characterized by that the vehicle (1) comprises a plurality of vehicle parts, wherein at least one optical communication channel (8, 9, 10) is at least partially integrated into at least one of the vehicle parts. [9] Vehicle (1) according to claim 8, characterized bythat several vehicle parts each comprise at least one hollow channel, wherein the hollow channels typically form the optical communication channels (8, 9, 10), at least in part. [10] Method for detecting a fault in a vehicle (1), characterized by that the method comprises an analysis of a light signal. [11] A method according to claim 10, comprising: - a reading process (P1) in which an optical value is read, and - a comparison process (P5) in which the optical value is compared with a target value, - the fault is detected if a deviation between the optical value and the target value is greater than a threshold deviation. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized bythat the method comprises a counting process (P2) in which cases in which there is a deviation between the optical value and the target value, but this deviation is smaller than the threshold value deviation, are summed up in a counting variable, wherein the disturbance is typically detected when the counting variable exceeds a limit value. [13] Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized by that the method comprises a zone determination process (P6) in which, as soon as the fault has been detected, a zone (2, 3, 4, 5) of the vehicle (1) in which the fault is present is determined. [14] A computer program comprising steps which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to carry out a method according to any one of claims 10 to 13. [15] Computer-readable medium, characterized bythat the computer-readable medium comprises computer program code for carrying out a method according to one of claims 10 to 13.

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