Component monitoring system and component monitoring method for a vehicle

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a component monitoring system (100) for a vehicle (10), comprising: - at least one sensor module (110; 110A-D) which is designed to measure at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an on-board electrical system (20) of the vehicle (10); and - an analysis module (120) which is designed to determine, on the basis of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system (20), property information relating to at least one electronic component (A-D) which is supplied with energy via the on-board electrical system (20), wherein the property information relates to an imminent defect of the at least one component (B) and / or a type of the at least one component (D).

Description

[0001] Component monitoring system and component monitoring method for a vehicle

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a component monitoring system for a vehicle, a vehicle having such a component monitoring system, a component monitoring method for a vehicle, and a storage medium for implementing the component monitoring method. In particular, the present disclosure relates to monitoring a vehicle electrical system for supplying energy to components.

[0003] State of the art

[0004] Supplying power to components can present various challenges and potential problems. One example is the potential failure of components, for example in a vehicle's electrical system, which may require a visit to the workshop. As a result, the affected component or the corresponding vehicle function may be unavailable during this time, causing inconvenience for the user. Furthermore, voltage fluctuations can occur in the power supply network due to the numerous different connected consumers. These fluctuations can lead to degradation and even failure of components. This becomes particularly problematic if the failed component is a safety-critical element, such as a control unit in an emergency braking system.

[0005] Disclosure of the invention

[0006] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a component monitoring system for a vehicle, a vehicle having such a component monitoring system, a component monitoring method for a vehicle and a storage medium for carrying out the component monitoring method, which enables reliable monitoring of an on-board electrical system and / or the consumers connected to the on-board electrical system.

[0007] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

[0008] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, a component monitoring system for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is specified. The component monitoring system comprises at least one sensor module configured to detect at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an electrical system of the vehicle; and an analysis module configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the electrical system, property information relating to at least one electronic component supplied with energy via the electrical system, wherein the property information relates to an impending defect (e.g., failure or error state) of the at least one component and / or a type of the at least one component.

[0009] According to the invention, based on physical measurements of the vehicle's electrical system, an assessment is made as to whether components connected to the vehicle's electrical system are at risk of failure and / or whether certain types of components, such as unauthorized third-party components, are connected to the vehicle's electrical system. This enables reliable monitoring of the vehicle's electrical system and the consumers connected to it.

[0010] The analysis module may comprise software components / algorithms configured to be executed on at least one processor and thereby to perform the functionalities of the analysis module.

[0011] The term "electrical system," as used in this disclosure, refers to a network of electrical connections, cables, switches, fuses, etc., that serves to distribute electrical energy throughout the vehicle and power the various electrical systems. The electrical system thus supplies electrical energy required to operate various electronic systems in the vehicle. This includes lighting, safety features, engine control, entertainment systems, and more. Modern vehicles also use the electrical system as a communication medium between various electronic components.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one electrical characteristic of the on-board electrical system is selected from the group comprising, or consisting of, an electrical voltage, an electrical current, and an electrical resistance. For example, the at least one electrical characteristic of the on-board electrical system can be an electrical voltage or an electrical current. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system can comprise a temperature, e.g., of the at least one electronic component. This enables a simple measurement of a physical variable in order to detect the failure of the at least one component and / or the type of component.

[0013] Preferably, the at least one sensor module is selected from the group comprising, or consisting of, a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a resistance sensor. For example, the at least one sensor module can comprise a voltage sensor and / or a current sensor. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one sensor module can comprise a temperature sensor. This allows for a simple measurement of a physical variable to detect the failure of the at least one component and / or the type of component.

[0014] The at least one sensor module is provided on the vehicle and connected to the vehicle electrical system to measure the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the vehicle electrical system. The at least one electronic component can be any component that requires electrical energy for operation ("consumer") and can be connected to the vehicle electrical system regularly or irregularly. Examples of such electronic components include control units, lighting devices, actuators, and sensors. This list is not exhaustive, as modern vehicles integrate a continuously growing number of electronic components to improve safety, comfort, efficiency, and connectivity.

[0015] Preferably, the analysis module is configured to predict the impending defect (e.g., failure and / or fault condition) of at least one component based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system. In particular, it can be predicted or predicted that a specific (vehicle-specific) electronic component could fail in the foreseeable future. The goal is to detect early signs that could indicate a potential malfunction or impending defect of this component by analyzing the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system, possibly using algorithms or artificial intelligence.

[0016] Preferably, the type of component determined based on the at least one electrical characteristic of the on-board electrical system is selected from the group comprising, or consisting of, an on-board component or proprietary component and an off-board component or external component. The analysis module can be configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical characteristic of the on-board electrical system, whether the at least one electronic component is an on-board component or proprietary component or an off-board component.

[0017] An "on-board component" is an electronic unit or device specifically designed for installation and use in a vehicle. These components are part of a vehicle's electrical and electronic system and play a critical role in various functions, including engine control, safety systems, convenience features, and more. Examples of on-board components include, but are not limited to, control units, vehicle sensors, actuators, on-board computers, infotainment systems, and air conditioning and heating electronics. On-board components may be installed by the manufacturer and / or provided for installation.

[0018] A "non-vehicle component" refers to an electronic unit or device that is not specifically designed for installation or use in a vehicle. Unlike on-board components, which are specifically designed for integration into vehicle systems, non-vehicle components are parts that may have been manufactured for broader applications or more general purposes. Non-vehicle components may be installed and / or provided for installation by third parties (i.e., not by the manufacturer).

[0019] By distinguishing between on-board and off-board components, components that could jeopardize the operation of the electrical system, the operation of other components connected to the electrical system, and / or the stability of the electrical system can be identified. Based on this knowledge, appropriate countermeasures can be taken, such as isolating the off-board component from the power supply (e.g., by closing a corresponding switch) and / or issuing a visual and / or acoustic user warning (e.g., "Remove the component; it is not compatible with the electrical system").

[0020] The vehicle, in particular the component monitoring system, may comprise at least one output device for outputting the at least one optical and / or acoustic user indication.

[0021] The at least one output device can comprise at least one display device and / or at least one loudspeaker. The at least one display device can comprise a display, in particular an LCD display, a plasma display or an OLED display. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one display device can comprise a projection device that is configured to display information directly in the driver's field of vision, in particular to project it onto a windshield. In some embodiments, the at least one display device can be a central information output device of an infotainment system, such as a head unit or a pillar-to-pillar display. Preferably, the at least one output device is permanently installed in the vehicle.

[0022] Preferably, the analysis module is configured to analyze a temporal profile of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic to determine the property information. In some embodiments, the temporal profile of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic can be analyzed within a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval can be suitably defined (e.g., x seconds or y minutes), or can be defined from a certain starting point in time (e.g., a vehicle start).

[0023] Preferably, the analysis module is configured to perform a pattern analysis of the temporal progression of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic in order to determine the property information. The term "pattern analysis" refers to the investigation of recurring or characteristic patterns in the temporal changes of an electrical and / or thermal characteristic, such as voltage, current flow, or temperature. The pattern analysis aims, in particular, to identify recurring structures, trends, or deviations in the temporal progression of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic in order to draw conclusions about the impending failure of electronic components and / or the type of electronic components.

[0024] Preferably, the analysis module is configured to determine the property information using an intelligent algorithm. The intelligent algorithm is preferably a machine learning algorithm. Machine learning (ML) refers to the artificial generation of knowledge from experience. Here, algorithms learn from empirical data and, after the learning phase, are able to generalize the experiences. To do this, the algorithms build a statistical model based on the empirical data. The empirical data used to train the algorithms is generally referred to as "training data."

[0025] The intelligent algorithm preferably comprises, or is, at least one neural network, in particular a trained neural network. Neural networks consist of a series of processing units that are connected to one another via communication channels, the so-called neurons. The neurons process input data and pass the result of the processing on to other neurons via the communication channels. Through the parallel processing of data, which is made possible by linking the neurons and their processing functions, complex, non-linear dependencies in the input data can be mapped. Neural networks are trained using a suitable learning technique, e.g., machine learning, so that they learn these dependencies. The training of the neural networks can be carried out using empirical data, the so-called training data.

[0026] The neural network may be selected from the group comprising or consisting of a deep neural network, a convolutional neural network and a recurrent neural network.

[0027] Preferably, the intelligent algorithm is configured for correlation analysis. Correlation analysis is a statistical method used to evaluate the degree of relationship or interaction between two or more variables. In particular, it examines whether and to what extent changes in one variable are related to changes in another variable. The variables may include the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic on the one hand, and the impending failure of electronic components and / or the type of electronic components on the other. Preferably, the analysis module is provided on the vehicle side. This allows the entire component monitoring system to be integrated in the vehicle, so that the analysis of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic can be performed directly in the vehicle.

[0028] In an alternative embodiment, the analysis module can be provided in a central unit that communicates with the vehicle. The central unit can be a server or a backend. In particular, the central unit can be provided by the vehicle manufacturer.

[0029] Preferably, the vehicle, in particular the component monitoring system, comprises a communication module configured for communication with the central unit. The communication module can, for example, be configured for communication via a mobile network. The mobile network can, for example, be an LTE network or 5G network. This allows the vehicle to communicate with the central unit via the mobile network in order to implement the functionalities according to the invention.

[0030] In particular, information relating to the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic can be transmitted from the vehicle to the central unit for analysis via the communication connection. Optionally, information relating to an analysis result can be transmitted from the central unit to the vehicle. Upon receipt of the information relating to the analysis result, the component monitoring system can take suitable measures, such as isolating a detected non-vehicle component from the power supply (e.g. by closing a corresponding switch) and / or issuing a visual and / or acoustic user message (e.g. "Remove the component, it is not compatible with the on-board electrical system" or "Component xy will fail soon, please visit a workshop").According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is specified. The vehicle comprises at least part of the component monitoring system according to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] The term "vehicle" includes cars, trucks, vans, buses, mobile homes, motorcycles, etc., used to transport people, goods, etc. In particular, the term includes motor vehicles used to transport people.

[0032] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a component monitoring method for a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, is specified. The component monitoring method comprises detecting, by at least one sensor module, at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an electrical system of the vehicle; and determining, by an analysis module, property information relating to at least one electronic component supplied with energy via the electrical system, based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the electrical system, wherein the property information relates to an impending defect (e.g., failure or error state) of the at least one component and / or a type of the at least one component.

[0033] The component monitoring method for a vehicle may implement the aspects of the component monitoring system for a vehicle described in this document.

[0034] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a software (SW) program is specified. The SW program can be configured to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the component monitoring method for a vehicle described in this document. According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is specified. The storage medium can comprise a SW program configured to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to carry out the component monitoring method for a vehicle described in this document.

[0035] According to a further independent aspect of the present disclosure, software with program code is provided. The software is configured to implement the component monitoring method for a vehicle when the software is executed on one or more software-controlled devices.

[0036] According to another independent aspect of the present disclosure, a component monitoring system for a vehicle is provided. The component monitoring system comprises one or more processors; and at least one memory connected to the one or more processors and containing instructions executable by the one or more processors to perform the component monitoring method for a vehicle described in this document.

[0037] A processor or processor module is a programmable computing unit, i.e. a machine or an electronic circuit that controls other elements according to given instructions and thereby drives an algorithm (process).

[0038] Short description of the drawings

[0039] Embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated in the figures and are described in more detail below. They show:

[0040] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle with a component monitoring system according to embodiments of the present disclosure, Figure 2 schematically shows a component monitoring system for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure,

[0041] Figure 3 schematically shows a component monitoring system for a vehicle according to further embodiments of the present disclosure, and

[0042] Figure 4 is a flowchart of a component monitoring method for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0043] Embodiments of the disclosure

[0044] In the following, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols are used for identical and equivalent elements.

[0045] Figure 1 schematically shows a vehicle 10 with a component monitoring system 100 according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The component monitoring system 100 comprises at least one sensor module 110 configured to detect at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an electrical system of the vehicle 10; and an analysis module 120 configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the electrical system, property information relating to at least one electronic component supplied with energy via the electrical system, wherein the property information relates to an impending defect (e.g., failure or error state) of the at least one component and / or a type of the at least one component.

[0046] Based on physical measurements of the vehicle's electrical system, an assessment is made as to whether components connected to the vehicle's electrical system are at risk of failure and / or whether certain types of components, such as unauthorized third-party components, are connected to the vehicle's electrical system. This enables reliable monitoring of the vehicle's electrical system and the consumers connected to it.

[0047] The analysis module 120 can be configured to analyze a temporal profile of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic to determine the property information. In some embodiments, the temporal profile of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic can be analyzed within a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval can be defined as appropriate (e.g., x seconds or y minutes), or can be defined from a certain starting point in time (e.g., a vehicle start).

[0048] In some embodiments, the analysis module 120 may be configured to perform a pattern analysis of the temporal course of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic to determine the property information. The term "pattern analysis" refers to the investigation of recurring or characteristic patterns in the temporal changes of an electrical and / or thermal characteristic, such as voltage, current flow, or temperature. The pattern analysis is particularly aimed at identifying recurring structures, trends, or deviations in the temporal course of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic in order to draw conclusions about the impending failure of electronic components and / or the type of electronic components.

[0049] Typically, the analysis module 120 is configured to determine the property information using an intelligent algorithm. Preferably, the intelligent algorithm is a machine learning algorithm. In further embodiments, the intelligent algorithm may be configured for correlation analysis.

[0050] In the example of Figure 1, the analysis module 120 is provided on the vehicle. Thus, the entire component monitoring system 100 can be integrated into the vehicle 10, so that the analysis of the electrical and / or thermal characteristics can be performed directly in the vehicle 10. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in alternative embodiments, the analysis module 120 can be provided in a central unit that is in communication with the vehicle 10. This is explained by way of example with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

[0051] Figure 2 schematically shows a component monitoring system for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0052] The vehicle's electrical system 20 serves to distribute electrical energy within the vehicle and to supply various electronic components A, B, and C. The energy to be distributed by the electrical system 20 can be provided by a power source 30, such as a battery or a generator.

[0053] The electronic components A, B, and C are consumers that are connected to the on-board electrical system 20 and supplied with energy by it. Examples of such electronic components A, B, and C include control units, lighting devices, actuators, and sensors. This list is not exhaustive, as modern vehicles integrate a continuously growing number of electronic components to improve safety, comfort, efficiency, and connectivity.

[0054] The component monitoring system comprises sensor modules 110A-D configured to detect at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the vehicle electrical system 20. For this purpose, the sensor modules 110A-D are connected to the vehicle electrical system 20. The at least one electrical characteristic of the vehicle electrical system 20 can be, for example, an electrical voltage or an electrical current. In the example of Figure 2, the electrical characteristic of the vehicle electrical system 20 is a current, and the sensor modules 110A-D are current sensors.

[0055] In the example of Figure 2, the analysis module 120 of the component monitoring system is implemented in a central unit 40, such as a server or backend. The vehicle may include a communication module 40 configured for a communication connection with the central unit 40. The communication module 40 may, for example, be configured for communication via a mobile network. The mobile network may, for example, be an LTE network or a 5G network. Thus, the vehicle can communicate with the central unit 40 via the mobile network to implement the functionalities according to the invention.

[0056] In particular, information relating to the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic can be transmitted from the vehicle to the central unit 40 or the analysis module 120 for analysis via the communication connection. For this purpose, the vehicle electrical system 20 can comprise an interface module 22, which is connected to the sensor modules 110A-D (not shown) and provides the collected information relating to the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic to the communication module 40 for transmission to the central unit 40.

[0057] In the example of Figure 2, the analysis module 120 is configured to predict the impending failure of electronic components based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system 20. In particular, it can be predicted or predicted that a specific on-board electronic component B could fail in the foreseeable future. The goal is to detect early signs that could indicate a possible malfunction or impending defect of this component B by analyzing the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system 20, possibly using algorithms.

[0058] This analysis result can be transmitted from the central unit 40 to the vehicle. Upon receipt of the analysis result, the component monitoring system can take appropriate measures, such as issuing a visual and / or acoustic user notification (e.g., "Component xy is about to fail, please visit a workshop"). Figure 3 schematically shows a component monitoring system for a vehicle according to further embodiments of the present disclosure. The component monitoring system illustrated in Figure 3 is similar to the component monitoring system shown in Figure 2. Therefore, in this regard, reference is made to the description of the latter component monitoring system.

[0059] In Figure 3, a non-vehicle component D is connected to the vehicle electrical system 20. A "non-vehicle component" refers to an electronic unit or device that was not specifically designed for installation or use in a vehicle. Unlike on-board components, which are specifically designed for integration into vehicle systems, non-vehicle components are parts that may have been manufactured for broader applications or more general purposes. Non-vehicle components may be installed and / or provided for installation by third parties (i.e., not by the manufacturer).

[0060] The analysis module 120 can be configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system 20, whether a non-vehicle component or third-party component D is connected to the on-board electrical system. For example, a user of the vehicle can integrate a third-party component (e.g., a dashcam) by interfering with the current path of the steering system (EPS; referred to as component C in Figure 3) using a splice connection, etc. This leads to an impairment of a safety-relevant current path, since the additional power consumer poses the risk of the electronic steering assistance failing.

[0061] If a non-vehicle component or foreign component D is detected, this information can be transmitted from the central unit 40 to the vehicle. Upon receipt of the analysis result, the component monitoring system can take appropriate measures, such as isolating the non-vehicle component from the power supply (e.g., by closing a corresponding switch) and / or issuing a visual and / or acoustic user warning (e.g., "Remove the component; it is not compatible with the vehicle electrical system").

[0062] Figure 4 shows a flowchart of a component monitoring method 400 for a vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The component monitoring method 400 can be implemented by appropriate software executable by one or more processors (e.g., a CPU).

[0063] The component monitoring method 400 comprises, in block 410, detecting, by at least one sensor module, at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an electrical system of the vehicle; and, in block 420, determining, by an analysis module, property information relating to at least one electronic component supplied with energy via the electrical system based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the electrical system, wherein the property information relates to an impending failure of the at least one component and / or a type of the at least one component.

[0064] According to the invention, based on physical measurements of the vehicle's electrical system, an assessment is made as to whether components connected to the vehicle's electrical system are at risk of failure and / or whether certain types of components, such as unauthorized third-party components, are connected to the vehicle's electrical system. This enables reliable monitoring of the vehicle's electrical system and the consumers connected to it.

[0065] Although the invention has been illustrated and explained in detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. It is therefore clear that a multitude of possible variations exist. It is also clear that exemplary embodiments really only represent examples that are not to be understood in any way as a limitation of the scope of protection, the possible applications or the configuration of the invention. Rather, the foregoing description and the description of the figures enable a person skilled in the art to implement the exemplary embodiments in concrete terms, wherein the person skilled in the art, with knowledge of the disclosed

[0066] The inventive concept can be subjected to a wide variety of changes, for example with regard to the function or arrangement of individual elements mentioned in an exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims and their legal equivalents, such as further explanations in the description.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A component monitoring system (100) for a vehicle (10), comprising: at least one sensor module (110; 110A-D) configured to detect at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an on-board electrical system (20) of the vehicle (10); and an analysis module (120) configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system (20), property information relating to at least one electronic component (AD) supplied with energy via the on-board electrical system (20), wherein the property information relates to an impending defect of the at least one component (B) and / or a type of the at least one component (D).

2. Component monitoring system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the electrical system (20) is selected from the group consisting of an electrical voltage, an electrical current, an electrical resistance and a temperature, in particular wherein the at least one electrical characteristic of the electrical system (20) is an electrical voltage or an electrical current.

3. Component monitoring system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the analysis module (120) is configured to predict the impending defect of the at least one component (B) based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the electrical system (20), in particular wherein the defect is a failure or a fault condition of the at least one component.

4. Component monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the type of component (AD) is selected from the group consisting of an on-board component (AC) and an off-board component (D), and wherein the analysis module (120) is configured to determine, based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of the on-board electrical system (20), whether the at least one electronic component (AD) is an on-vehicle component (AC) or an external component (D).

5. Component monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the analysis module (120) is configured to analyze a temporal profile of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic in order to determine the property information, in particular wherein the analysis module (120) is configured to perform a pattern analysis of the temporal profile of the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic in order to determine the property information.

6. Component monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the analysis module (120) is configured to determine the property information using an intelligent algorithm, in particular a machine learning algorithm and / or a correlation analysis.

7. Component monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: the analysis module (120) is provided on the vehicle side; or the analysis module (120) is provided in a central unit (40) that is in communication with the vehicle (10).

8. Vehicle (10), in particular a motor vehicle, comprising the component monitoring system (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6.

9. A component monitoring method (400) for a vehicle (10), comprising: detecting (410), by at least one sensor module (110; 110A-D), at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristic of an electrical system (20) of the vehicle (10); and Determining (420), by an analysis module (120), property information relating to at least one electronic component (AD) which is supplied with energy via the electrical system (20), based on the at least one electrical and / or thermal characteristics of the on-board electrical system (20), wherein the property information relates to an impending defect of the at least one component (B) and / or a type of the at least one component (D).

10. A storage medium comprising a software program configured to be executed on one or more processors and thereby to execute the component monitoring method (400) according to claim 9.

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