Method for detecting an impermissible removal of a catalytic converter device provided in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for detecting an unauthorized modification of a catalytic converter installed in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a computer program and a motor vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: - Providing a data-based model, wherein the data-based model is set up to generate a combined expected value range for several state variables influencing and / or influenced by the catalyst device with the catalyst device installed, - Providing actual values ​​of the state variables during the operation of the motor vehicle, - Comparing the actual values ​​of the state variables during operation of the motor vehicle with the combined expected value range for the state variables provided by the data-based model, - Detecting an expansion of the catalyst system depending on the result of the comparison, wherein one of the state variables is an acoustic state variable, wherein the motor vehicle has an acoustic sensor for detecting the acoustic state variable.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for detecting an unauthorized removal of a catalytic converter installed in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle. The invention further relates to a computer program and a motor vehicle.

[0002] Catalytic converters are an important component of vehicles with internal combustion engines and serve to clean the exhaust gases produced during engine operation. However, catalytic converters negatively affect vehicle performance. Furthermore, some people perceive the exhaust system without a catalytic converter as having a sportier sound. Therefore, it sometimes happens that catalytic converters are illegally removed to achieve increased performance and / or alter the sound.

[0003] These unauthorized modifications are almost impossible to prevent. However, there is an interest in identifying and / or documenting such modifications immediately or subsequently, not least because such modifications are often illegal and, moreover, components of the exhaust system could be damaged during operation without a catalytic converter, leading to unjustified warranty or guarantee claims.

[0004] DE 10 2021 203 228 B3 discloses a method for detecting manipulation of an exhaust aftertreatment system of a motor vehicle. DE 10 2021 115 261 A1 discloses a method that has the features of the preamble of claim 1. DE 10 2021 203 141 A1, DE 10 2006 016 446 A1, DE 10 2014 209 794 A1 and DE 10 2018 216 467 A1 disclose further prior art.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a novel method for detecting an impermissible modification of a catalyst device provided in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, furthermore a suitable computer program product and a motor vehicle.

[0006] These tasks are solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims concern advantageous further training.

[0007] The method according to the invention serves to detect an impermissible modification of a catalytic converter device provided in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle. The method comprises the following steps: - Providing a data-based model, wherein the data-based model is set up to generate a combined expected value range for several state variables influencing and / or influenced by the catalyst device with the catalyst device installed, - Providing, in particular measuring, actual values ​​of the state variables during the operation of the motor vehicle, - Comparing the actual values ​​of the state variables during operation of the motor vehicle with the combined expected value range for the state variables provided by the data-based model, - Detecting the need for an upgrade of the catalyst system depending on the result of the comparison.

[0008] It is provided that one of the state variables is an acoustic state variable, and the motor vehicle has an acoustic sensor for detecting the acoustic state variable.

[0009] It has been shown that removing the catalytic converter significantly affects the acoustics of the exhaust system. Therefore, using measurements from an acoustic sensor as a state variable has proven particularly reliable for detecting a catalytic converter removal. Furthermore, due to its complexity and the vehicle-specific acoustics, this state variable is especially difficult to manipulate, making it particularly challenging to conceal the removal of the catalytic converter, especially since the altered acoustics are often the very reason for the removal.

[0010] Preferably, the procedure is carried out using a computer.

[0011] It is planned that the data-based model will be created using an artificial neural network and / or that the data-based model will be created using artificial intelligence.

[0012] In particular, the artificial neural network is trained using vehicle-specific state variables, preferably recursively.

[0013] It is considered advantageous to provide an initial data-based model, whereby, provided that the actual values ​​of the state variables during operation of the vehicle lie within the expected range of the initial data-based model, the actual values ​​of the state variables are used to fit the data-based model. This allows the data-based model to be particularly well adapted to the individual vehicle.

[0014] Preferably, the data-based model is adapted using machine learning.

[0015] It is considered advantageous if, upon detection of a catalytic converter removal, an entry is made in a non-volatile internal memory of the vehicle. This allows for the subsequent detection of a catalytic converter removal, even if it was only temporarily removed and the vehicle was only operated without a catalytic converter for a period of time.

[0016] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that the entry can be read using a diagnostic device, preferably a mobile one. This allows it to be determined during a vehicle inspection in a workshop, for example as part of a routine inspection, whether the catalytic converter was temporarily removed or whether the vehicle was temporarily operated without a catalytic converter.

[0017] In an advantageous further development, it is provided that if a removal of the catalytic converter is detected, the driver of the motor vehicle is notified via an output device of the motor vehicle.

[0018] Preferably, a protocol is used for recording and retrieving the entry to document the removal of the catalytic converter. Preferably, this protocol is that of a universal diagnostic information system, in particular a manufacturer's own universal diagnostic information system. This prevents data manipulation.

[0019] The computer program product according to the invention comprises instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by a computer, cause it to execute the method according to the invention or one of the advantageous embodiments.

[0020] The motor vehicle according to the invention comprises an exhaust system with a catalyst device and a device for detecting an impermissible removal of the catalyst device, wherein the device is configured to carry out the method according to the invention or one of the advantageous embodiments.

[0021] The following figures explain the invention in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments, without being limited to these. They show: Fig. 1. A flowchart of a procedure for detecting an impermissible modification of a catalytic converter device provided in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle.

[0022] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a flowchart of a procedure for detecting an impermissible modification of a catalyst device provided in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle.

[0023] The first procedural step S1 includes the following: Providing a data-based model, wherein the data-based model is configured to generate a combined expected value range for several state variables influencing and / or influenced by the catalyst device with the catalyst device installed, wherein one of the state variables is an acoustic state variable.

[0024] In a second process step S2, the following is provided: Providing actual values ​​of the state variables during the operation of the motor vehicle, wherein the motor vehicle has an acoustic sensor for detecting the acoustic state variable.

[0025] A third process step, S3, includes the following: Comparing the actual values ​​of the state variables during operation of the motor vehicle with the combined expected range of state variables provided by the data-based model.

[0026] A fourth process step, S4, includes the following: Determining the need for an upgrade of the catalyst system depending on the result of the comparison. Reference symbol list S1 first process step S2 second procedure step S3 third process step S4 fourth process step

Claims

[1] Method for detecting an impermissible modification of a catalyst device provided in an exhaust system of a motor vehicle, wherein the method provides: - Providing a data-based model, wherein the data-based model is configured to generate a combined expected value range for several state variables influencing and / or influenced by the catalyst device with the catalyst device installed (S1), - Providing actual values ​​of the state variables when operating the motor vehicle (S2), - Comparing the actual values ​​of the state variables during operation of the motor vehicle with the combined expected value range for the state variables (S3) provided by the data-based model, - Detecting an expansion of the catalyst device depending on the result of the comparison (S4), wherein one of the state variables is an acoustic state variable, wherein the motor vehicle has an acoustic sensor for detecting the acoustic state variable, characterized by that the data-based model is created using an artificial neural network and / or that the data-based model is created using artificial intelligence. [2] Method according to claim 1, wherein an initial data-based model is provided, wherein, provided that the actual values ​​of the state variables during operation of the motor vehicle are within the expected value range, the actual values ​​of the state variables are used to adapt the data-based model. [3] Method according to claim 2, wherein the adaptation of the data-based model is carried out using machine learning. [4] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, upon detection of a removal of the catalyst device, an entry is made in a non-volatile internal memory of the motor vehicle. [5] Method according to claim 4, wherein the entry can be read using a mobile diagnostic device. [6] Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, upon detection of a removal of the catalyst device, a notification is sent to the driver of the motor vehicle via an output device of the motor vehicle. [7] Computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. [8] Motor vehicle comprising an exhaust system with a catalyst device and comprising a device for detecting an impermissible removal of the catalyst device, wherein the device is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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