Method for a motor vehicle for analyzing a component of the motor vehicle, computer program and / or computer-readable medium, data processing device, and motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for a motor vehicle (50) for analyzing a component (65) of a low-voltage network (60) of the motor vehicle, the component having a plurality of parts (66), and the method comprising: capturing (110), at a time (t0), an input current signal (IET), an input voltage signal (UET) and a temperature signal (T) each relating to the component, each being dependent on a time (t) and each being measured on board the motor vehicle; determining (120) a part-specific current (IB) and a part-specific voltage (UB) for the parts on the basis of the input current signal, the input voltage signal and a multi-dimensional equation system (25) which models the component; determining (130) load factors (PI) relating to loads on the parts, said loads being related to the time, on the basis of the part-specific currents, the part-specific voltages and the temperature signal; and outputting (140) the load factors.

Description

[0001] Method for a motor vehicle for analyzing a component of the motor vehicle, computer program and / or computer-readable medium, a data processing device and a motor vehicle

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a method for a motor vehicle for analyzing a component of a low-voltage network of the motor vehicle, said component comprising a plurality of components. The disclosure also relates to a computer program and / or computer-readable medium, a data processing device, and a motor vehicle.

[0003] Such a component typically comprises several components, such as integrated circuits (ICs), inductors, capacitors, resistors, diodes, transistors, and so on. The components are interconnected and thus operatively connected. The failure behavior of the component can be significantly attributable to the failure behavior and reliability of one or more of the components. The failure behavior of the components, in turn, can depend on the nature of the part and / or component as well as on the stresses caused by use of the component.

[0004] Testing and / or evaluating the condition of such a component is known from the prior art.

[0005] DE 10 2016 218 555 A1 discloses a method for operating an on-board energy system of a motor vehicle, wherein the on-board energy system has a plurality of components, wherein a prognosis of a future state of the at least one component is carried out from values ​​relating to a load capacity of at least one component as a state analysis, wherein a decision is made on the release of at least one driving function of the motor vehicle which is supported by the at least one component of the on-board energy system depending on a result of the state analyses carried out.

[0006] In particular, investigations using the so-called “part count” or “part stress” method are state of the art.

[0007] The "part count" method describes a simple addition of failure rates for a component without considering the load on the respective component. The "part stress" method extends the "part count method to include a particularly static load on components. Such loads can be, for example, temperature, voltage and / or current and are expressed in calculation factors, the so-called pi factors. However, the pi factors are not automatically related to individual components, but are calculated with reference to the component, for example based on the terminal load of the component in relation to the low-voltage vehicle electrical system. The aging behavior of components can be expressed through a combination of a basic service life at nominal load and the influence of under- and / or overloading using the pi factors.The Pi factors are calculated by comparing the rated load and environmental influences such as temperature, current, or voltage; see Siemens standard SN 29500-1 "Component Failure Rates" from January 2004 and other sections of the standard. To ensure the correct functioning of safety-critical components, only the statistical failures of these components within a specific period of time (e.g., 10) are currently taken into account. A 9 operating hours). A component is described as either functional or failed, with the latter condition occurring only once within a shorter period of time (for example, 10 A 8 operating hours).

[0008] The methods mentioned only allow a rough estimate of the failure behavior and do not allow any further conclusions regarding the component's components. Furthermore, due to their application, the methods mentioned are more relevant during the development of the component.

[0009] A real-time, stress-based assessment of component life and / or component behavior is not yet known. However, an abnormally functioning, faulty, and / or defective component can impair component function even before a specified number of operating hours.

[0010] For safety reasons, safety-critical components are designed in such a way that they can be considered statistically safe regardless of customer behavior, i.e., regardless of how the component is used. Nevertheless, increased component load (particularly overloading a control unit) can lead to increased failure behavior, which, while within specified specifications and / or standards, is nevertheless undesirable. This is because a component failure and / or impairment of the component's function - even if rare and / or unlikely - has an adverse effect on the perception of vehicle quality. In the case of non-safety-relevant components (comfort consumers), a failure does not pose a safety risk; however, the failure is also undesirable, as it can lead to a visit to a branch and / or workshop.

[0011] Against the background of this prior art, one object of the present disclosure is to provide a method suitable for enriching the prior art and improving at least the above-mentioned aspects of the prior art. In particular, the object of the disclosure is to provide a real-time estimation and / or prediction of the behavior of a component of a motor vehicle.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claims. The subclaims contain further developments of the disclosure.

[0013] According to one aspect of the disclosure, the object is achieved by a method for a motor vehicle for analyzing a component of a low-voltage network of the motor vehicle, said component having a plurality of components, the method comprising: detecting, at a point in time, an input current signal, an input voltage signal, and a temperature signal relating to the component, which are dependent on a time and measured on the motor vehicle side; determining, based on the input current signal, the input voltage signal, and a multidimensional system of equations modeling the component, a component-specific current and a component-specific voltage for the components; determining, based on the component-specific currents, the component-specific voltages, and the temperature signal, load factors relating to loads on the components related to the point in time; and outputting the load factors.

[0014] It was recognized that an efficient analysis of the component, including its components, is possible using the input current signal, input voltage signal, and temperature signal recorded as field data. This can be exploited by the fact that modern motor vehicles have electronic measuring devices that can measure the input voltage, input current, and temperature of the component as a function of time, i.e., with time resolution and, in particular, in real time. The input current signal and input voltage signal thus recorded can each be used as input variables for the system of equations.

[0015] It was recognized that the component can be modeled using the system of equations and that the behavior and respective load on the components depend on the input voltage, the input current, and the temperature of the component. The system of equations can, in particular, model the effect of the input voltage and the input current on each of the components. This means that the component-specific current and the component-specific voltage for each of the components can be determined using the system of equations, i.e. the current to which one of the components is subjected and the voltage applied to the component. In addition, a component-specific temperature can optionally be determined. The component-specific current, the component-specific voltage, and the temperature up to and including that point in time can be determined. This makes it possible to examine the loads on the components up to that point in time.The component-specific current and voltage for each of the components and the temperature signal are used to determine a load factor for each component, whereby the load factors are also related to time.

[0016] The method thus makes it possible to determine the load on the components at a given point in time or up to a given point in time. The load can thus be determined in real time. Through a numerically efficient implementation, for example, on a vehicle-side data processing device, the measured physical variables can be converted into load in the individual control units in a runtime-efficient manner and optionally summed to a component load. This allows information about the function of the component to be obtained in real time.

[0017] In other words, the disclosure provides a method for real-time analysis of motor vehicle components. The method can result in a component, in which one or more components have reached the end of their statistical service life (comfort consumers) or significantly reached their design maximum (safety-critical consumers), being replaced during a routine visit of the motor vehicle to a workshop and / or branch, thus eliminating the need for further fault-related visits. The method can optionally be implemented proactively, for example, to plan and / or predict maintenance of electrical components based on their electrical and thermal loads.

[0018] Optionally, the load factors relevant to the components are determined for a subset of the components. It was recognized that the calculation of the load factors can be simplified numerically if the loads and / or load factors do not have to be determined for all components. A subset of the components includes at least one and fewer than all components of the components. Optionally, the subset of components includes critical components, i.e., components that are more likely and / or more likely to fail than other components, and / or components whose failure is more likely to impair the function of the component.

[0019] Optionally, the method includes determining a cumulative load for each of the components based on the load factors; and outputting the cumulative loads. It was recognized that the cumulative load of one of the components is a well-defined measure for the point in time that takes into account the use of the component. The cumulative load up to and including the point in time can be calculated based on the load factors at past points in time.

[0020] Optionally, the method comprises outputting load information based on the cumulative loads as a function of a threshold condition relating to the cumulative loads. The load information can, for example, be perceptible to a user of the motor vehicle and / or output during routine maintenance of the motor vehicle if the cumulative load exceeds a threshold defined by the threshold condition. This can indicate a replacement and / or maintenance of the component. Otherwise, if the cumulative load is below the threshold, outputting the load information may be dispensable.

[0021] Optionally, the method includes determining a future cumulative load for each of the components based on the load factors and the cumulative loads; and outputting the future cumulative loads. It was recognized that the method can be predictive, for example, by making assumptions about the load on the components beyond that point in time based on a past load. Accordingly, the future cumulative loads can be extrapolated, for example.

[0022] Optionally, the method comprises outputting forecast information based on the future cumulative loads as a function of a threshold condition relating to the future cumulative loads. The forecast information can, for example, be perceptible to a user of the motor vehicle and / or output during routine maintenance of the motor vehicle if the future cumulative load exceeds a threshold defined by the threshold condition. This can indicate a replacement and / or maintenance of the component. Otherwise, if the future cumulative load is below the threshold, outputting the load information can be dispensed with. This makes it possible to counteract a malfunction of the component caused by loads at an early stage.

[0023] Optionally, the input current signal, the input voltage signal, and / or the temperature signal are detected by an electronic fuse in the vehicle and / or component. It has been recognized that modern vehicles can be equipped with an electronic fuse (so-called "E-fuse"). The electronic fuse electrically protects the component and can also detect the input current signal, the input voltage signal, and / or the temperature signal, which can be used to determine the loads.

[0024] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a computer program and / or a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer program and / or the computer-readable medium comprise instructions which, when the program or instructions are executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the method according to the disclosure and / or steps thereof. Optionally, the computer program and / or the computer-readable medium comprises instructions which, when the program or instructions are executed by a data processing device, cause the device to perform the method steps described as advantageous or optional in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0025] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a data processing device for a motor vehicle is provided. The data processing device is configured to perform the method described above. Optionally, the data processing device is configured to perform a method step described as advantageous or optional and / or to implement a method feature in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0026] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a motor vehicle comprising the data processing device described above is provided. Optionally, the data processing device of the motor vehicle and / or the motor vehicle is configured to perform a method step described as advantageous or optional and / or to implement a method feature in order to achieve an associated technical effect.

[0027] Each embodiment will be described below with reference to the figures. Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle according to one aspect of the disclosure;

[0028] Fig. 2 schematically shows a flow diagram of a method according to one aspect of the disclosure; and

[0029] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0030] Figure 1 schematically shows a motor vehicle 50 according to one aspect of the disclosure.

[0031] Motor vehicle 50 is a land vehicle. Motor vehicle 50 is a passenger car.

[0032] The motor vehicle 50 has a motor vehicle-side data processing device 51 and a low-voltage network 60. The low-voltage network 60 or low-voltage system is configured, for example, to operate with alternating voltages up to and including 30 V or direct voltages up to and including 60 V. The low-voltage network 60 comprises an electronic measuring device 52 and a component 65. In another embodiment (not shown), the motor vehicle 50 can have a different number of electronic measuring devices 52 and / or components 65 than the number shown.

[0033] Component 65 can, for example, include or be a sensor, an actuator, and / or a control unit. Component 65 is configured to be supplied with a current when a voltage is applied. Component 65 has a plurality of components 66 (shown only schematically in Figure 1), the number of which is only schematic. Components 66 are electrically interconnected and can therefore influence one another and determine the function of component 65.

[0034] The electronic measuring device 52 is configured to measure an input current signal IET relating to the component 65 and dependent on a time t, an input voltage signal UET dependent on the time t, and a temperature signal T dependent on the time t. The input current signal IET represents, for example, the current applied to the component 65 as a function of time t, and the input voltage signal UET represents the voltage applied to the component 65 as a function of time t. The temperature signal T represents the temperature of the component as a function of time. The temperature signal T can refer to one or more measuring points. The electronic measuring device 52 is configured to electrically protect the component 65, i.e., to protect it against excessively high currents and / or voltages. The electronic measuring device 52 is thus an electronic fuse 52a (“E-fuse”).

[0035] The electronic measuring device 52 and the data processing device 51 are communicatively connected to one another so that the input current signal IET, the input voltage signal UET and the temperature signal T can be transmitted from the electronic measuring device 52 to the data processing device 51.

[0036] The data processing device 51 is configured to perform the method 100 described with reference to Figure 2. The data processing device 51 is configured to analyze the component 65 of the low-voltage network 60 of the motor vehicle 50, which component has the plurality of components 66, as described below and with reference to Figure 2.

[0037] For this purpose, the data processing device 51 according to Figure 1 can record the input current signal IET, input voltage signal UET and temperature signal T, which are dependent on a time t, using the measuring device 52 at a current time t0, i.e. in real time. The data processing device 51 has access to a system of equations 25 that can be called up by the data processing device 51. Given a known circuit diagram of the component 65, a network-theoretical structure of the component 65 and, based thereon, the system of equations 25 can be derived from the circuit diagram. The system of equations 25 can, for example, be a system of coupled differential equations with which a component-specific current IB and a component-specific voltage UB can be calculated as a function of time t based on the input current signal IET and the input voltage signal.These differential equations can optionally be solved with reference to a current time tO as a boundary condition using an integral transformation, in particular a Laplace transformation, in which case the system of equations 25 can then be converted into an algebraic, for example, linear, system of equations. Thus, the data processing device can determine the component-specific current IB and the component-specific voltage UB for the components 66 based on the input current signal IET, the input voltage signal UET, and the multidimensional system of equations 25 modeling the component 65. A component-specific temperature can additionally be determined, for example, based on the measurement point(s) and the geometry of the component 65 using a thermodynamic model of the component 65.The data processing device 51 is configured to determine load factors PI relating to the loads of the components 66 related to time t0 based on the component-specific currents IB, the component-specific voltages UB, and the temperature signal T. Determining the load factors PI comprises, for example, a comparison between the component-specific currents IB and reference currents and / or between the component-specific voltages UB and reference voltages. Such a reference current and / or such a reference voltage is defined, for example, as per Siemens standard SN 29500-1 "Component Failure Rates" of January 2004 and other parts of the standard.The expected lifetime of an electrical system, for example, component 65, can be estimated based on the loads generated by the input current signal IET, the input voltage signal UET, and the temperature signal T, for example, compared to a standard load. The standard load can be defined by the aforementioned Siemens standard.

[0038] The data processing device 51 is configured to determine load factors PI relating to the components 66 for a subset of the components 66. This can be achieved by appropriately modeling the component 65 and / or the components 66 using the system of equations 25. By considering the subset, for example, the dimension of the system of equations 25 can be reduced, which can numerically simplify its solution.

[0039] The data processing device 51 is configured to output the load factors PI. The load factors PI can be transferred, for example, from one software component or function to another software component or function in order to perform further calculations. Alternatively or additionally, the load factors PI can be output to a user of the motor vehicle 50 via a vehicle-mounted output device (not shown) and / or during maintenance.

[0040] The data processing device 51 is configured to determine a cumulative load PI_C, relative to time t0, for each of the components 66 based on the load factors PI. Thus, the cumulative load PI_C can be determined as a real-time load variable ('live fit rate') by adding a current component load at time t0 to a cumulative history of the respective component 66 in real time. The physical variables temperature, input current, and input voltage can be mapped to individual components 66 by the system of equations 25, whereby it may be sufficient to selectively include only critical components 66 as a subset of the components.

[0041] The data processing device 51 is configured to determine a future cumulative load PI_CF for each of the components 66 based on the load factors PI and the cumulative loads PI_C. The data processing device 51 is configured to output the cumulative loads PI_C and the future cumulative loads PI_CF. The cumulative loads PI_C and the future cumulative loads PI_CF can be transferred, for example, from one software component or function to another software component or function in order to perform further calculations. Alternatively or additionally, the cumulative loads PI_C and the future cumulative loads PI_CF can be output to a user of the motor vehicle 50 via a motor vehicle-side output device (not shown) and / or during maintenance.

[0042] The data processing device 51 is configured to output load information 70 based on the cumulative loads PI_C as a function of a threshold condition relating to the cumulative loads PI_C and / or forecast information 75 based on the future cumulative loads PI_CF as a function of a threshold condition relating to the future cumulative loads PI_CF. The cumulative loads PI_C and / or the future cumulative loads PI_CF can be output to a user of the motor vehicle 50 via a vehicle-side output device (not shown) and / or during maintenance.

[0043] Figure 2 schematically shows a flowchart of a method 100 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The method 100 according to Figure 2 is a method 100 for a motor vehicle 50 for analyzing a component 65 of a low-voltage network 60 of the motor vehicle 50, said component having a plurality of components 66. Such a motor vehicle 50 with such a component 65 is described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 2 is described with reference to Figure 1.

[0044] The method 100 according to Figure 2 comprises: detecting 110, at a time t0, an input current signal IET, an input voltage signal UET, and a temperature signal T relating to the component 65, which are dependent on a time t and measured on the motor vehicle side. The detecting 110 of the input current signal IET, the input voltage signal UET, and / or the temperature signal T is carried out by an electronic fuse 52a of the motor vehicle 50 and / or the component 65.

[0045] The method 100 comprises: determining 120, based on the input current signal IET, the input voltage signal UET and a multidimensional equation system 25 modeling the component 65, a component-specific current IB and a component-specific voltage UB for the components 66.

[0046] The method 100 comprises: determining 130, on the basis of the component-specific currents IB, the component-specific voltages UB and the temperature signal T, load factors PI relating to the loads of the components 66 related to the time tO.

[0047] The load factors PI relating to components 66 are determined for a subset of components 66.

[0048] The method 100 comprises: outputting 140 the loading factors PI.

[0049] The method 100 comprises: determining 145 a cumulative load PI_C related to the time tO for each of the components 66 based on the load factors PI

[0050] The method 100 comprises: outputting 150 the cumulative loads PI_C.

[0051] The method 100 comprises: outputting 155 a load information 70 based on the cumulative loads PI_C as a function of a threshold condition relating to the cumulative loads PI_C.

[0052] The method 100 comprises: determining 160 a future cumulative load PI_CF for each of the components 66 based on the load factors PI and the cumulative loads PI_C.

[0053] The method 100 comprises: outputting 165 the future cumulative loads PI_CF. The method 100 comprises: outputting 170 a forecast information 75 based on the future cumulative loads PI_CF depending on a threshold condition relating to the future cumulative loads PI_CF.

[0054] The person skilled in the art will recognize that the method 100 according to Figure 2 can also be performed in a different order than that shown. In particular, it is possible for steps of the method 100 to be interchanged, shifted, and / or performed simultaneously.

[0055] Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 according to one aspect of the disclosure. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 comprises instructions 201 which, when the program or instructions are executed by a data processing device 51, cause the device 51 to perform the method 100 and / or the steps of the method 100 according to Figure 2.

[0056] The instructions 201 can be present as program code in any code or in any language, in particular in code suitable for controlling and / or monitoring motor vehicles 50. The computer program and / or computer-readable medium 200 can be or include any digital data storage device, such as a USB stick, a hard drive, a CD-ROM, an SD card, or an SSD card. The computer program does not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium, but can also be accessible via the Internet or otherwise.

[0057] Reference symbol (part of the description)

[0058] 25 system of equations

[0059] 50 motor vehicles

[0060] 51 Data processing device

[0061] 52 electronic measuring device

[0062] 52a electronic fuse

[0063] 60 low-voltage network

[0064] 65 components

[0065] 66 component

[0066] 70 Load information

[0067] 75 Forecast information

[0068] 100 procedures

[0069] 110 Capture

[0070] 120 Determining a component-specific current and a component-specific voltage

[0071] 130 Determining stress factors

[0072] 140 Output of load factors

[0073] 145 Determine one cumulative load each

[0074] 150 Output of cumulative load

[0075] 155 Output of debit information

[0076] 160 Determine a future cumulative burden

[0077] 165 Output of future cumulative burden

[0078] 170 Output of forecast information

[0079] 200 Computer program and / or computer-readable medium

[0080] 201 commands

[0081] IB component-specific current

[0082] IET input current signal

[0083] PI load factor

[0084] PI_C cumulative load

[0085] PI_CF future cumulative load t time tO time

[0086] T temperature signal

[0087] UB component-specific voltage UET input voltage signal

Claims

Claims 1. A method (100) for a motor vehicle (50) for analyzing a component (65) of a low-voltage network (60) of the motor vehicle (50) having a plurality of components (66), the method (100) comprising: - detecting (110), at a time (tO), an input current signal (IET), an input voltage signal (UET) and a temperature signal (T) relating to the component (65), which are dependent on a time (t) and measured on the motor vehicle side; - Determining (120), based on the input current signal (IET), the input voltage signal (UET) and a multidimensional modeling the component (65) system of equations (25), a component-specific current (IB) and a component-specific voltage (UB) for the components (66); - determining (130), on the basis of the component-specific currents (IB), the component-specific voltages (UB) and the temperature signal (T), load factors (PI) relating to the loads of the components (66) at the time (tO); and - Output (140) of the load factors (PI).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the load factors (PI) relating to the components (66) are determined for a subset of the components (66).

3. The method (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method (100) comprises: - determining (145) a cumulative load (PI_C) related to the time (tO) for each of the components (66) based on the load factors (PI); and - Output (150) of the cumulative charges (PI_C).

4. The method (100) of claim 3, wherein the method (100) comprises: - Outputting (155) load information (70) based on the cumulative loads (PI_C) as a function of a threshold condition relating to the cumulative loads (PI_C).

5. The method (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the method (100) comprises: - determining (160) a future cumulative load (PI_CF) for each of the components (66) based on the load factors (PI) and the cumulative loads (PI_C); and - Output (165) the future cumulative charges (PI_CF).

6. The method (100) of claim 5, wherein the method (100) comprises: - Outputting (170) forecast information (75) based on the future cumulative loads (PI_CF) as a function of a threshold condition relating to the future cumulative loads (PI_CF).

7. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the detection (110) of the input current signal (IET), the input voltage signal (UET) and / or the temperature signal (T) is carried out by an electronic fuse (52a) of the motor vehicle (50) and / or the component (65).

8. Computer program and / or computer-readable medium (200) comprising instructions which, when the program or instructions are executed by a data processing device (51), cause the device (51) to carry out the method (100) and / or the steps of the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

9. Data processing device (51) for a motor vehicle (50), wherein the data processing device (51) is configured to carry out the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

10. Motor vehicle (50) comprising the data processing device (51) according to claim 9.

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