MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A MACHINE MONITORING SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH AN OVERHEAD DIAGNOSTIC DATA TRANSMISSION UNIT, PROCESS AND PROGRAMMING BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising: - a traction machine; - a machine control unit comprising at least one sensor connected to the machine; - a vehicle control unit (2) connected to the machine control unit; and - an over-the-air monitoring and transmission unit (4) connected to the machine control unit and the vehicle control unit (2), the transmission unit (4) storing monitoring data from said sensor and comprising diagnostic means for determining at least one machine diagnosis based on data from said sensor, and the transmission unit (4) comprising over-the-air transmission means for data relating to said diagnosis. The invention also relates to a method and a program based on such a vehicle. Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: MOTOR VEHICLE COMPRISING A MACHINE MONITORING SYSTEM EQUIPPED WITH AN OVERHEAD DIAGNOSTIC DATA TRANSMISSION UNIT, METHOD AND PROGRAMMING BASED ON SUCH A VEHICLE

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electronic and software systems for traction chain control, and machine controls, as well as emission limitation with regard to the euro 7 standard.

[0002] This type of system illustrated in [Fig.1] includes a traction machine control unit 1 having OBD detection functions, connected to a vehicle control unit 2 having display functions A.

[0003] The theoretical response to the Euro 7 standard would be to develop a new Ibis traction machine control system having OBD (or "on board detection" in English) detection functions; and also OBM (or "on board monitoring" in English), and to develop a new vehicle control system having OTA (or "over the air" in English) transmission functions.

[0004] The time and resources required to develop such an Ibis control system are too significant and necessitate a large volume of new vehicles to offset the development efforts. The Euro 7 standard with prior art control unit 1 is only accessible to vehicles with the OTA over-the-air transmission function.

[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide a solution for putting in implements the Euro 7 standard without reprogramming the on-board machine control systems of standard vehicles already in circulation.

[0006] To achieve this objective, the invention proposes a motor vehicle comprising: - a traction machine; - a machine control unit comprising at least one sensor connected to the machine; a vehicle control unit connected to the machine control unit; and - an aerial monitoring and transmission unit connected to the machine control unit and the vehicle control unit, the monitoring and transmission unit storing monitoring data from said sensor, and including diagnostic means determining at least one machine diagnosis based on data from said sensor, and the monitoring and transmission unit including means of aerial transmission of data relating to the diagnostic audit.

[0007] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible to offer a dedicated monitoring and transmission unit on prior art vehicles, enabling them to meet the requirements of the euro 7 standard.

[0008] The invention provides an integrated on-board monitoring (OBM) and over-the-air (OTA) system within a programmable computer specifically designed for this functionality. The computer receives data from the machine (e.g., temperature, pressure, engine speed) via standard on-board monitoring communication protocols in accordance with the Euro 7 standard. The computer can store on-board monitoring history data in accordance with Euro 7 regulations. The computer can transmit data over the air to the controller in accordance with the Euro 7 standard.

[0009] In addition, the computer can be pre-programmed with monitoring algorithms to analyze sensor data and detect potential machine problems in accordance with the Euro 7 standard. Furthermore, the system would provide an alert to the user, using the vehicle control unit.

[0010] Preferably, the monitoring and transmission unit includes a microprocessor comprising at least one diagnostic program determining said machine diagnosis based on data from said sensor.

[0011] This allows for diagnostics to be carried out on the traction machine and transmitted via air.

[0012] Preferably, the microprocessor includes at least one vehicle emissions monitoring program that analyzes emissions and determines monitoring data; and transmits the monitoring data by means of over-the-air transmission.

[0013] This allows emissions to be monitored and related information to be sent by air.

[0014] Preferably, the microprocessor includes at least one self-diagnostic program, checking the functionalities of the transmission unit to determine internal errors, and preferably transmitting the internal errors by means of over-the-air transmission.

[0015] This allows self-diagnoses of the transmission unit to be carried out and transmitted via the air.

[0016] Preferably, the monitoring and transmission unit further includes a local memory, a vehicle communication interface, and an air communication interface.

[0017] This allows for a complete modular unit that can be easily connected to the machine control unit and the vehicle control unit. The monitoring and transmission unit can be disconnected for updating or reprogramming without having to remove the other units.

[0018] Preferably, said sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a rotation speed sensor, and / or an emissions sensor.

[0019] This allows us to have data enabling us to perform diagnostics on the machine.

[0020] Another object of the invention relates to a method of monitoring a machine of a motor vehicle according to the invention, comprising the following steps: - a storage step in which the monitoring data from said sensor is stored; - a diagnostic step in which at least one machine diagnosis is determined based on data from said sensor; and - an aerial data transmission step relating to the diagnostic audit.

[0021] Preferably, the monitoring method further comprises: - a monitoring stage in which vehicle emissions are monitored by analyzing them to determine monitoring data; and by transmitting the monitoring data via over-the-air transmission; and / or

[0022] - a self-diagnostic step in which the unit's functionalities are checked transmission to determine internal errors, and internal errors are preferably transmitted by air transmission.

[0023] The method may further include a step of displaying the observed deviation through the vehicle's control unit. The display is made in particular on the instrument panel.

[0024] The method may further include a step of prohibiting the start-up of the machine control unit and / or the vehicle control unit if the deviation is not resolved, for example in maintenance by non-confirmation of the fault, after a certain number of kilometers.

[0025] The invention further relates to an embedded computer program comprising program code instructions for executing the steps of the monitoring method according to the invention, when said program is running on a computer.

[0026] The invention will be further detailed by describing non-limiting embodiments, and based on the accompanying figures in which: - [Fig.l] schematically illustrates a surveillance system according to the prior art; - [Fig.2] schematically illustrates a monitoring system according to the requirements of the euro 7 standard; - [Fig.3] schematically illustrates a monitoring system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.4] schematically illustrates a transmission unit of the monitoring system of [Fig.3].

[0027] By using a dedicated computer to perform the functions of on-board monitoring (OBM) and over-the-air (OTA) transmission in accordance with the Euro 7 standard, we avoid modifying the existing machine control unit (control unit 1 illustrated in [Fig. 1]). Thus, we can offer a Euro 7 compliant architecture on a vehicle not initially equipped with OTA transmission functionalities. Some of the engines in current vehicle ranges compliant with the Euro 6 standard can therefore be made Euro 7 compliant without the need for reprogramming and production of new computer units for the Ibis machine control unit (illustrated in [Fig. 2]).

[0028] Furthermore, the system can be adapted to different types of traction machines by modifying the pre-programmed monitoring algorithms.

[0029] The surveillance system of the invention is illustrated in [Fig.3]. It comprises a control unit 1 (similar to that of [Fig.1]), an airborne surveillance and transmission unit 4 and a vehicle control unit 2.

[0030] The overall functions of the monitoring and transmission unit 4 are as follows.

[0031] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 acts as an intermediary between the unit The existing machine control unit 1 and the vehicle control unit 2 receive relevant machine data from the control unit 1 via a communication protocol 3 (e.g., a CAN bus). It processes the data to ensure compliance with the Euro 7 standard, communicating with the control unit 2 to potentially trigger warning lights or other actions if emission levels exceed the specified limits.

[0032] Furthermore, the monitoring and transmission unit 4 provides an OTA data transmission functionality via a related y-interface 4d (visible in [Fig.4]).

[0033] The components of the monitoring and transmission unit 4 are as follows (visible in [Fig.4]).

[0034] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 includes a microprocessor 4a: The heart of the transmission unit, responsible for processing machine data and performing the necessary tasks: namely, in particular, OTA air transmission (means 4a.1); OBM on-board monitoring (means 4a.2), and MP data storage (means 4a.3).

[0035] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 further includes a memory M (mean 4b): it stores data, configuration parameters and historical information on emissions.

[0036] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 further includes a vehicle communication interface 4c: it connects to the control unit 2 using a CAN communication protocol to potentially activate warning lights or other features.

[0037] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 further includes an air communication interface 4b: it transfers monitoring data according to the requirements of the Euro 7 standard on a mobile data network, in particular the 4G network.

[0038] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 further comprises software: it contains algorithms for: - process and interpret the machine data received from the existing control unit 1; - monitor emission levels and compare them to the regulatory thresholds of the Euro 7 standard; - implement all necessary control strategies (where applicable) to stay within emission limits.

[0039] The monitoring and transmission unit 4 may further include additional functionalities: - self-diagnosis: that is, the ability to monitor its own functionalities and to report any internal errors; - management of the upgrade of control unit 1 and / or control unit 2 via radio link.

[0040] The advantages of the invention are as follows.

[0041] The invention offers a modular design, as it can potentially be adapted to different projects with minimal modifications to the basic functionalities.

[0042] The invention involves compliance without major modifications, as it allows compliance with the Euro 7 standard while retaining control unit 1 without significant modifications.

[0043] A first variant can be envisaged with a minimum of modifications, easier to implement.

[0044] This first variant supports essential communication protocols (CAN protocol); stores a minimum of diagnostic data to meet regulatory requirements; and uses limited processing power for data collection. and data transmission; does not use cloud computing integration.

[0045] A second variant can be envisaged with more modifications and advanced diagnostics.

[0046] This second variant supports current and potentially next-generation communication protocols (e.g., CAN FD, Ethernet); offers extensive data storage for historical logs and complex analyses; uses advanced processing power for the detection and diagnosis of embedded anomalies; supports secure over-the-air updates for software upgrades and new features; integrates with cloud-based computing platforms for remote data access and advanced analytics; uses advanced encryption and authentication protocols for secure over-the-air updates; provides the highest level of security for communications and software updates.

[0047] The second variant has the advantage of being adaptable to changes in regulatory landscapes and technological progress; and has the potential for additional functionalities beyond diagnostics (e.g., remote vehicle control).

Claims

Demands

1. Motor vehicle comprising: - a traction machine; - a machine control unit (1) comprising at least one sensor connected to the machine; - a vehicle control unit (2) connected to the machine control unit (1); and - an over-the-air monitoring and transmission unit (4) connected to the machine control unit (1) and to the vehicle control unit (2), the monitoring and transmission unit (4) storing monitoring data from said sensor, and comprising diagnostic means (4a) determining at least one diagnosis of the machine based on data from said sensor, and the monitoring and transmission unit (4) comprising over-the-air transmission means (4d) of data relating to said diagnosis.

2. Motor vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the monitoring and transmission unit (4) comprises a microprocessor (4a) comprising at least one diagnostic program determining said machine diagnosis as a function of data from said sensor.

3. Motor vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the microprocessor (4a) includes at least one vehicle emissions monitoring program which analyzes emissions and determines monitoring data; and transmits the monitoring data by means of over-the-air transmission (4d).

4. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the microprocessor (4a) includes at least one self-diagnostic program, checking the functionalities of the transmission unit to determine internal errors, and preferably transmitting the internal errors by means of over-the-air transmission (4d).

5. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the monitoring and transmission unit (4) further comprises a local memory (4B), a vehicle communication interface (4c), and an air communication interface (4d).

6. Motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said sensor comprises a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a rotation speed sensor, and / or an emissions sensor.

7. A method for monitoring a machine of a motor vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising the following steps: - a storage step in which the monitoring data from said sensor is stored; - a diagnostic step in which at least one diagnosis of the machine is determined based on data from said sensor; and - an air transmission step of data relating to said diagnosis.

8. A monitoring method according to claim 7, further comprising: - a monitoring step in which vehicle emissions are monitored by analyzing them to determine monitoring data; and transmitting the monitoring data by air transmission; and / or - a self-diagnostic step in which the functionalities of the transmission unit are checked to determine internal errors, and the internal errors are preferably transmitted by air transmission; - preferably a step of displaying the observed deviation through the vehicle control unit.

9. Embedded computer program comprising program code instructions for performing the steps of the monitoring method according to any one of claims 7 to 8, when said program is running on a computer.

Images