MONITORING OF EQUIPMENT OPERATION IN A SYSTEM FOR FAILURE DETECTION

Abstract

A monitoring method is implemented in a system comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment, each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis, delivering a positive or negative result. This method comprises a step (10-40) in which, when all the dedicated diagnoses deliver a positive result and the global diagnosis delivers a negative result, a first value representative of the associated operating parameter is compared for each of the pieces of equipment with associated lower and upper thresholds in order to determine a second value representative of a level of failure of the equipment concerned, then each second determined value is recorded in the system. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MONITORING OF THE OPERATION OF EQUIPMENT OF A SYSTEM FOR FAILURE DETECTION Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to systems comprising equipment participating together in a global action, and more precisely to the monitoring within such systems of the respective operations of the aforementioned equipment. State of the art

[0002] Certain systems, such as for example certain vehicles (possibly of the automobile type), comprise a set of at least two pieces of equipment which together participate in a global action which is the subject of a global diagnosis.

[0003] As an illustrative example, when the system is a vehicle, the set of equipment participating in a global action may be the exhaust line which ensures the depollution of combustion residues delivered at the outlet of a thermal engine of the powertrain (or GMP). In this case, a NOx (nitrogen oxides) sensor is installed at the end of a depollution device of the exhaust line to monitor the level of pollutant emissions of the vehicle, and when this level exceeds a predefined threshold, the global diagnosis is negative to signal that the global depollution action is not correctly ensured.

[0004] In some of the aforementioned systems, each of the equipment participating in the overall action is also the subject of a dedicated diagnosis intended to analyze an operating parameter which is characteristic of its specific action within the overall action. It may happen that the overall diagnosis delivers a negative result (and therefore indicates that the overall action is not ensured), but that all the dedicated diagnoses deliver a positive result (and therefore indicate that all the equipment is functioning correctly). For example, in the case of an exhaust line, such a situation may in particular arise when several small failures or specific actions are present simultaneously, partially ensured, but not critical to be diagnosed (slightly old catalyst, slow or offset oxygen sensor, etc.).

[0005] In this situation where only the overall diagnosis delivers a negative result, a user of the system (for example the driver) is informed of the need to have this system examined by or in an after-sales service. But since all the diagnoses dedicated to the monitored equipment are positive, it is (very) difficult, or even impossible, for the after-sales service to determine the origin (or origins) of the diagnosed problem.

[0006] The invention therefore aims in particular to improve the situation. Presentation of the invention

[0007] It proposes in particular for this purpose a monitoring method intended to be implemented in a system comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment, each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result.

[0008] This monitoring method is characterized by the fact that it comprises a step in which, when all the dedicated diagnostics deliver a positive result and the global diagnostics deliver a negative result, a first value representative of the associated operating parameter is compared for each of the pieces of equipment with associated lower and upper thresholds in order to determine a second value representative of a level of failure of the equipment concerned, then each second determined value is recorded in the system.

[0009] Thanks to the invention, in the event of an overall diagnosis delivering a negative result (and therefore a diagnosed problem), we now have second values ​​determined for the different equipment and representative of the respective failure levels of the latter, which makes it easier to determine the origin (or origins) of the diagnosed problem and the repair by or in an after-sales service.

[0010] The monitoring method according to the invention may include other characteristics which may be taken separately or in combination, and in particular:

[0011] - in its step, each first value can be chosen from a value maximum value taken by the operating parameter concerned in a chosen time interval, a minimum value taken by the operating parameter concerned in this chosen time interval, and an average value of the operating parameter concerned in this chosen time interval;

[0012] - in its step, we can determine each second value by linear interpolation of the first associated value between the associated lower and upper thresholds;

[0013] - in its step, we can store in the system N last seconds values ​​of completed for each operating parameter, with N > 3, in order to have a history for each piece of equipment and to allow subsequent determination of a temporal variation of each operating parameter;

[0014] - in the presence of the last option, in its step, the number N can be understood between 5 and 20;

[0015] - in its step, each lower threshold associated with an operating parameter may be a first value taken by the latter and corresponding to a zero failure level, and each upper threshold associated with an operating parameter may be a first value taken by the latter and corresponding to a failure level maximum failure;

[0016] - in its step, one can determine among the second determined values ​​the one which is the largest, and an alert can be generated indicating a problem with the equipment operating associated with the second largest value.

[0017] The invention also proposes a computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing a monitoring method of the type presented above, in a system comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment, each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result, to monitor the respective operations of the equipment with a view to detecting failures of the latter.

[0018] The invention also proposes a monitoring device intended to equip a system comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment, each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result.

[0019] This monitoring device is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one processor and at least one memory arranged to carry out the operations consisting, when all the dedicated diagnostics deliver a positive result and the global diagnostics deliver a negative result, in comparing for each of the equipment a first value representative of the associated operating parameter with associated lower and upper thresholds in order to determine a second value representative of a level of failure of the equipment concerned, then in triggering a recording in the system of each second determined value.

[0020] The invention also proposes a system comprising, on the one hand, a set of at least two pieces of equipment, each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result, and, on the other hand, a monitoring device of the type presented above.

[0021] For example, this system may be a vehicle, possibly of the automobile type. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended drawings, in which:

[0023] [Fig. 1] schematically and functionally illustrates part of an example of production of a system constituting a vehicle comprising a GMP transmission chain with a thermal motor associated with an exhaust line whose operation is controlled by a pollution control computer, and a monitoring device according to the invention,

[0024] [Fig.2] schematically and functionally illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pollution control calculator comprising an exemplary embodiment of a monitoring device according to the invention, and

[0025] [Fig.3] schematically illustrates an example of an algorithm implementing a monitoring method according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0026] The invention aims in particular to propose a monitoring method, and an associated monitoring device DS, intended to enable the monitoring in a system S of the respective operations of equipment Ej which participate together in a global action, with a view to detecting failures of this equipment Ej.

[0027] In the following, it is considered, by way of non-limiting example, that the system S is a vehicle of the automobile type. This is for example a car, as partially illustrated in [Fig.l]. But the invention is not limited to this type of system. It in fact concerns any type of system comprising at least one set of at least two pieces of equipment each being the subject of a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and participating together in a global action being the subject of a global diagnosis. Thus, it concerns vehicles (land, sea (or river), and air), electrical appliances, installations (including industrial), and buildings.

[0028] Furthermore, it is considered in the following, by way of non-limiting example, that the vehicle S comprises a transmission chain with a powertrain (or GMP) of purely thermal type (and therefore whose drive is provided exclusively by at least one thermal motor MT). But the GMP could be of hybrid type (thermal and electric) or purely electric as long as it comprises a set of at least two pieces of equipment participating together in an overall action.

[0029] [Fig.l] schematically shows part of an example of a system S constituting a vehicle comprising a monitoring device DS according to the invention and a GMP transmission chain with a thermal motor MT and a set LE of equipment Ej participating together in an overall action.

[0030] Each piece of equipment Ej of the set LE is the subject of a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter pfj which characterizes its own action (and delivering a positive or negative result), and the global action is the subject of a global diagnosis analyzing a global operating parameter pfg which characterizes it (and delivering a positive or negative result).

[0031] In the example illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.l] the assembly LE is an exhaust line LE whose operation is controlled by a pollution control computer CD and ensuring a global action of pollution control of the combustion residues delivered at the output SM of the thermal engine MT. But the invention is not limited to this type of equipment assembly. It in fact concerns any assembly of at least two pieces of equipment participating in a global action.

[0032] In the case of the chosen example (depollution of combustion residues), the overall operating parameter pfg which characterizes the overall action of the exhaust line LE may, for example, be the level of pollutant emission at the outlet of a depollution device DD forming part of the exhaust line LE. This level of pollutant emission pfg may, for example, be estimated (or measured) by a NOx (nitrogen oxides) sensor. The overall diagnosis then consists of determining whether the level of pollutant emission pfg exceeds a predefined threshold, and if this level of pollutant emission pfg is greater than the predefined threshold, the result of the overall diagnosis is negative (and therefore indicates that the overall depollution action is not correctly ensured), while if the level of pollutant emission pfg is less than or equal to the predefined threshold, the result of the overall diagnosis is positive (and therefore indicates that the overall depollution action is correctly ensured).

[0033] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the exhaust line LE here comprises an upstream part PI which is connected to the outlet SM of the thermal engine MT in order to collect the combustion residues (or exhaust gases) which it produces, a pollution control device DD connected to the outlet of the upstream part PI, and a downstream part P2 connected to the outlet of the pollution control device DD and having a free end communicating with the outside.

[0034] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the pollution control device DD may comprise a pollution control computer CD responsible for controlling its operation, and a housing (or receptacle) BD comprising at least a first catalyst El (j = 1), a particle filter E2 (j = 2) and a second catalyst E3 (j = 3).

[0035] The first catalyst (or first equipment) El is, for example, of the three-way type and coupled to the upstream part PI of the exhaust line LE. This first catalyst CTI is arranged so as to treat pollutants including nitrogen oxides (or NOx) which are produced by the thermal engine MT and delivered to its outlet SM.

[0036] For example, it may conventionally contain precious metals, such as platinum, palladium or rhodium, which cause the three simultaneous oxidation-reduction reactions, presented in the introductory part, in the presence of nitrogen oxides.

[0037] The particle filter (or second equipment) E2 is coupled to the output of the first catalyst El and arranged so as to filter, by internal storage, soot particles which are produced by the thermal engine MT.

[0038] The second catalyst (or third equipment E3) is, for example, of the three-way type, and arranged so as to act mainly during a regeneration phase of the particulate filter E2, triggered in the event of a saturation alert of the latter (E2). More precisely, the arrangement of the second catalyst E3 allows it, during each regeneration phase controlled by the pollution control computer CD), to store, internally, oxygen (O2) from the thermal engine MT and having passed through the first catalyst E1 and the particulate filter E2 without having been completely consumed in order to contribute to the treatment of the nitrogen oxides which have not been eliminated by the first catalyst E1 due to the regeneration phase.

[0039] This second catalyst E3 can be based on precious metals, such as platinum, palladium or rhodium, deposited on alumina type oxides and / or mixed ceria / zirconia type oxides doped with other elements.

[0040] The first catalyst (or first equipment) E1 is the subject of a first dedicated diagnosis analyzing a first operating parameter pfl which characterizes its own action. The particle filter (or second equipment) E2 is the subject of a second dedicated diagnosis analyzing a second operating parameter pf2 which characterizes its own action. The second catalyst (or third equipment) E3 is the subject of a third dedicated diagnosis analyzing a third operating parameter pf3 which characterizes its own action.

[0041] As mentioned above, the invention proposes in particular a monitoring method intended to enable the monitoring of the respective operations of the equipment Ej of the assembly LE (here the exhaust line) which together participate in an overall action (here the decontamination of combustion residues), with a view to detecting failures of this equipment Ej.

[0042] In the following and the preceding, the term “failure” means the fact that an item of equipment Ej partially performs its own function.

[0043] This (monitoring) method can be implemented at least partially by the monitoring device DS (illustrated at least partially in FIGS. 1 and 2) which comprises for this purpose at least one processor PR1, for example a digital signal processor (or DSP ("Digital Signal Processor")), and at least one memory MD. This monitoring device DS can therefore be produced in the form of a combination of electrical or electronic circuits or components (or "hardware") and software modules (or "software"). For example, it can be a microcontroller.

[0044] The memory MD is RAM in order to store instructions for the implementation by the processor PR1 of at least part of the monitoring method. The processor PR1 may comprise integrated (or printed) circuits, or several circuits integrated (or printed) circuits connected by wired or wireless connections. An integrated (or printed) circuit is any type of device capable of performing at least one electrical or electronic operation.

[0045] In the example illustrated non-limitingly in Figures 1 and 2, the monitoring device DS is part of the pollution control computer CD. But this is not obligatory. Indeed, the monitoring device DS could comprise its own dedicated computer or could be part of another computer of the system S.

[0046] As illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 3], the (monitoring) method, according to the invention, comprises a step 10-40 which is implemented each time a double condition is satisfied while the global action is used, namely all the dedicated diagnostics (here of the three equipments Ej (j = 1 to 3)) deliver a positive result and the global diagnostics deliver a negative result.

[0047] Step 10-40 of the method comprises a sub-step 20 in which, when the aforementioned double condition is satisfied, one (for example the monitoring device DS) compares for each of the equipment Ej a first value vlj which is representative of the operating parameter pfj associated with associated lower thresholds slj and upper thresholds s2j in order to determine a second value v2j which is representative of a failure level of the equipment Ej concerned.

[0048] It will be understood that in the example described we compare:

[0049] - the first first value vil (representative of the first parameter of func operation pfl associated with the first equipment El) at first lower thresholds si 1 and higher s21 in order to determine a first second value v21 representative of a failure level of the first equipment El,

[0050] - the second first value vl2 (representative of the second func parameter operation pf2 associated with the second equipment E2) at second lower thresholds s 12 and upper thresholds s22 in order to determine a second second value v22 representative of a failure level of the second equipment E2, and

[0051] - the third first value vl3 (representative of the third parameter of func operation pf3 associated with the third equipment E3) at third lower thresholds s 13 and upper thresholds s23 in order to determine a third second value v23 representative of a failure level of the third equipment E3.

[0052] Step 10-40 of the method also comprises a sub-step 30 in which each second determined value v2j is recorded (for example the monitoring device DS triggers a recording) in the system S (of).

[0053] It will be noted that the recording of the second determined values ​​v2j can, for example, be done in a memory (possibly dead) of the monitoring device DS or of the pollution control computer CD.

[0054] This recording is intended to signal to an after-sales service which will revise the system S (here a vehicle) that the overall diagnosis has delivered a negative result, and to make available to it second v2j values ​​determined for each of the Ej equipment in order to facilitate the determination of the origin (or origins) of the diagnosed problem, and therefore also the repair.

[0055] For example, and as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig.3], step 10-40 may comprise a sub-step 10 in which one (for example the monitoring device DS) may begin by determining for each of the equipment items Ej the first value vlj representative of the associated operating parameter pfj.

[0056] Also for example, each first value vlj can be chosen from a maximum value pfjmax taken by the operating parameter pfj concerned in a chosen time interval, a minimum value pfjmin taken by the operating parameter pfj concerned in this chosen time interval, and an average value pfjmoy of the operating parameter pfj concerned in this chosen time interval. It will be understood that to determine the maximum value pfjmax or the minimum value pfjmin or the average value pfjmoy of an operating parameter pfj, it is necessary to store, for example in a buffer memory, all the values ​​taken by this operating parameter pfj concerned in this chosen time interval.

[0057] It should be noted that the choice of the maximum value pfjmax or the minimum value pfjmin or even the average value pfjmoy can vary from one piece of equipment Ej to another Ej' (j' j) depending on the characteristics of the dedicated diagnosis to which it is subject.

[0058] Also for example, in sub-step 20 of step 10-40 one (for example the monitoring device DS) can determine each second value v2j by linear interpolation of the first value vlj associated between the lower threshold slj and upper threshold s2j associated. It will be understood that in this case the second value v2j (associated with an operating parameter pfj) is the value which corresponds to the first corresponding value vlj on the line joining the lower threshold slj and upper threshold s2j.

[0059] But other mathematical methods can be used instead of linear interpolation to determine each second value v2j from the first value vlj and the associated lower thresholds slj and upper thresholds s2j.

[0060] Also for example, in sub-step 20 of step 10-40 each lower threshold slj associated with an operating parameter pfj can be a first value taken by the latter (pfj) and corresponding to a zero failure level, and each upper threshold s2j associated with an operating parameter pfj can be a first value taken by the latter (pfj) and corresponding to a maximum failure level.

[0061] For example, if the dedicated diagnosis associated with the first catalyst El delivers a negative result when the retention capacity of the latter (El) is less than 100 mg, then the first upper threshold s21 corresponds to this value of 100 mg and can be equal to a failure level of 100%, and the lower threshold if 1 corresponds to the maximum retention capacity of the first catalyst El when new (e.g. 1000 mg) and therefore can be equal to a failure level of 0%.

[0062] Also for example, in sub-step 30 of step 10-40 it is possible to record (for example the monitoring device DS can trigger a recording) in the system S the last N second values ​​v2j determined for each operating parameter pfj, with N > 3. Thus, a history is available for each piece of equipment Ej, and the subsequent determination of a temporal variation of each operating parameter pfj is possible, which can be useful to an after-sales service to determine whether a piece of equipment Ej must be replaced at the time in question, possibly in advance.

[0063] Also for example, in sub-step 30 of step 10-40 the number N can be between 5 and 20. As an illustrative example this number N can be equal to 10. But other values ​​can be envisaged for the number N.

[0064] It will also be noted that step 10-40 of the method may also comprise a sub-step 40 in which one (for example a computer of a remote server or possibly the monitoring device DS) can determine from among the second values ​​v2j (possibly the last N) determined for the different equipment Ej the one which is the largest. Then, in this sub-step 40 one can generate an (for example the computer of a remote server or possibly the monitoring device DS can trigger the generation of an) alert signaling an operating problem (or a failure) of the equipment Ej which is associated with the second largest value v2j.

[0065] When the analysis of the second values ​​v2j (possibly the last N) of the equipment Ej is carried out by a computer of a remote server, the latter must have previously recovered or had access to these second values ​​v2j. To do this, the remote server can establish communication with a communication module (possibly wireless) of the system S in order to recover the second values ​​v2j, or a communication module (possibly wireless) of the system S can automatically transmit the second values ​​v2j (possibly the last N) to the remote server, for example periodically.

[0066] Once the analysis is complete, the remote server computer can generate, for a predefined person (for example an analyst or possibly a user of the system S) an alert signaling an operating problem (or a failure) of the equipment Ej associated with the second largest value v2j. If the predefined person is an analyst, he can also be provided with the history of the N second values ​​v2j of at least this equipment Ej, so that he can determine each equipment Ej that needs to be replaced (or repaired). If the predefined person is a user of the S system, the alert may be communicated to him by means of at least one piece of equipment of the S system (such as for example a display screen or a loudspeaker or a service indicator) or via his smartphone, and this alert is intended to recommend the verification of the S system in or by an after-sales service.

[0067] When the analysis of the second values ​​v2j (possibly the last N) of the equipment Ej is carried out by the monitoring device DS, it triggers for a user of the system S (for example the driver in the case of a vehicle) the generation of an alert signaling an operating problem (or a failure) of the equipment Ej or (here) of the exhaust line LE, so that he has the system S (and more precisely here the exhaust line LE) checked in or by an after-sales service. This alert to the user can be done, for example, by means of an illuminated indicator light (for example in the dashboard of the vehicle S) and / or a message displayed on at least one screen of the vehicle S (for example the dashboard or a central instrument panel) or on the screen of the user's smartphone, and / or broadcast by at least one loudspeaker of the vehicle S or of this smartphone.The aforementioned indicator light could, for example, be a service indicator light, but it could also be an indicator light dedicated to the Ej equipment set (here the LE exhaust line).

[0068] It will also be noted, as illustrated non-limitingly in [Fig. 2], that the pollution control computer CD (or the computer of the monitoring device DS) may also comprise a mass memory MM1, in particular for storing each value taken by each operating parameter pfj, as well as any intermediate data involved in all its calculations and processing. Furthermore, this pollution control computer CD (or the computer of the monitoring device DS) may also comprise an input interface IE for receiving at least each value taken by each operating parameter pfj, possibly after having shaped and / or demodulated and / or amplified it, in a manner known per se, by means of a digital signal processor PR2.In addition, this CD pollution control calculator (or the DS monitoring device calculator) can also include an IS output interface, in particular to deliver a message (or order) for storing second v2j values, and a possible message (or order) for triggering an alert or transmitting second v2j values ​​to a remote server.

[0069] It will also be noted that the invention also proposes a computer program product (or computer program) comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means of the electronic circuit (or hardware) type, such as for example the processor PR1, is capable of implementing the monitoring method described above to monitor in the system S the respective operations of the equipment Ej which participate together in an action global (here the decontamination of combustion residues from the thermal engine), with a view to detecting failures of this equipment Ej.

Claims

Claims

1. Monitoring method for a system (S) comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment (Ej), each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result, characterized in that it comprises a step (10-40) in which, when all said dedicated diagnoses deliver a positive result and said global diagnosis delivers a negative result, a first value representative of the associated operating parameter is compared for each of said pieces of equipment (Ej) with associated lower and upper thresholds in order to determine a second value representative of a level of failure of said piece of equipment (Ej), then each second determined value is recorded in said system (S).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in said step (10-40) each first value is chosen from a maximum value taken by the operating parameter concerned in a chosen time interval, a minimum value taken by the operating parameter concerned in this chosen time interval, and an average value of the operating parameter concerned in this chosen time interval.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in said step (10-40) each second value is determined by linear interpolation of the first associated value between said associated lower and upper thresholds.

4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in said step (10-40) the last N second values ​​determined for each operating parameter are stored in said system (S), with N > 3, in order to have a history for each item of equipment (Ej) and to allow subsequent determination of a temporal variation of each operating parameter.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that in said step (10-40) N is between 5 and 20.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in said step (10-40) each lower threshold associated with an operating parameter is a first value taken by the latter and corresponding to a zero failure level, and each upper threshold associated with an operating parameter is a first value taken by the latter and corresponding to a maximum failure level.

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in said step (10-40) the largest of said second determined values ​​is determined, and an alert is generated signaling a problem in the operation of the equipment (Ej) associated with said second largest value.

8. Computer program product comprising a set of instructions which, when executed by processing means, is capable of implementing the monitoring method according to one of claims 1 to 7, in a system (S) comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment (Ej), each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result, to monitor the respective operations of said pieces of equipment (Ej) with a view to detecting failures of the latter (Ej).

9. Monitoring device (DS) for a system (S) comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment (Ej), each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis delivering a positive or negative result, characterized in that it comprises at least one processor (PR1) and at least one memory (MD) arranged to carry out the operations consisting, when all said dedicated diagnoses deliver a positive result and said global diagnosis delivers a negative result, in comparing for each of said pieces of equipment (Ej) a first value representative of the associated operating parameter with associated lower and upper thresholds in order to determine a second value representative of a level of failure of said piece of equipment (Ej),then to trigger a recording in said system (S) of each second determined value.,

10. System (S) comprising a set of at least two pieces of equipment (Ej), each subject to a dedicated diagnosis analyzing an operating parameter and delivering a positive or negative result, and participating together in a global action subject to a global diagnosis, delivering a positive or negative result, characterized in that it further comprises a monitoring device (DS) according to the claim- dication 9.

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