Method and system for detecting changes in behaviour and / or changes in properties of technical systems

Abstract

In order to provide a method for detecting changes in behaviour and / or changes in properties of technical systems, by means of which in particular physical changes in behaviour or changes in properties of parts or components of the technical system can be detected, a method (100) for detecting changes in behaviour and / or changes in properties of technical systems (10) is proposed, wherein: state data relating to at least one component (12) of a technical system (10) are received and / or queried by a data processing device (17) of the technical system (10) via a communication bus (16); the state data and / or data derived from the state data by the data processing device (17) are transmitted via a communication network (22) to an external computing device (19); the external computing device (19) determines, from the state data and / or the derived data, whether a change in state of the at least one component (12) over time has occurred, and compares the change in state over time with a predetermined criterion; and the computing device (19) determines a change in behaviour and / or change in properties of the technical system (10) if the change in state over time satisfies the predetermined criterion.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method and system for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems, and to a system for carrying out such a method.

[0004] Manufacturers of technical systems must ensure that components of such systems meet initial specifications at all times. For example, manufacturers of motor vehicles must ensure that components of the vehicles they produce meet initial emission specifications.

[0005] In motor vehicles, modifications to components may result in the vehicle no longer meeting specifications, particularly emission specifications. For example, an emission-relevant component may have been replaced with an inferior replacement part, or components or functions may have been removed and / or rendered unusable. Aging or wear of a component can also lead to a failure to meet initial emission specifications.

[0006] US 2007 / 0027592 A1 concerns a tamper diagnostic system for a vehicle, wherein the tamper diagnostic system comprises a vehicle control system that stores calibration data and a transmitter for selective wireless transmission of the calibration data.

[0007] A method and a device for SCR fraud inspection are known from CN 11 61 22 943 A. The method comprises the steps of determining vehicle NOx emission concentration data using an external NOx sensor, collecting data at an OBD interface and a CAN bus, and determining a fault condition of the SCR system or manipulation based on the vehicle's NOx concentration data, the OBD interface data, and the CAN bus data. The present invention aims to provide a method for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems, by means of which, in particular, physical changes in the behavior or properties of components or parts of the technical system can be detected.

[0008] To solve the problem underlying the invention, a method for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems is proposed, wherein state data of at least one component of a technical system are received and / or queried by a data processing device of the technical system via a communication bus, wherein the state data and / or data derived from the state data by the data processing device are transmitted via a communication network to an external computing device, wherein the external computing device determines from the state data and / or the derived data whether a change in the state over time of the at least one component has occurred and compares the change in state over time with a predetermined criterion, wherein the computing device determines a change in the behavior and / or properties of the technical system.if the change of state over time fulfills the predetermined criterion.

[0009] The data processing device of the technical system receives or queries status data of at least one component of a technical system via a communication bus.

[0010] The status data is preferably not calibration data. In particular, the status data received or queried via the communication bus can be time series data. Accordingly, temporal changes in the behavior and / or properties of the technical system, especially of its components, can be determined from the status data and / or derived data.

[0011] Calibration data refers specifically to data stored in a control unit. Calibration data can be modified.

[0012] A control unit stores and executes specific algorithms and logic, such as control systems and feedforward logic. These algorithms typically have numerous parameters, such as gain and decay factors, which influence the algorithm's effect (e.g., a linear equation with the parameter "slope"). This data and these parameters are calibration data. If the technical system is a motor vehicle, calibration data can include, among other things, data related to electronic throttle control, fuel injection, transmission shift points, and / or the settings of turbochargers and superchargers.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the invention, the state data or data derived from the state data are transmitted to an external computing device. The external computing device is spatially separated from the technical system and, in particular, is not a component of the technical system.

[0014] Due to the transmission of state data or derived data to the external computing device and the determination of temporal state changes of at least one component by the external computing device, the computing capacity of the technical system's data processing device is relieved. The data processing device of the technical system can therefore be smaller and thus more cost-effective. Furthermore, shifting the determination of temporal state changes to the external computing device makes it possible to determine and compare behavioral and / or property changes of multiple technical systems.

[0015] Preferably, the technical system is a motor vehicle.

[0016] This method is particularly advantageous for determining changes in the behavior and / or properties of motor vehicle components.

[0017] It may be particularly preferred that the component is a brake system, in particular a brake disc and / or a brake pad, and / or an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, and / or a catalytic converter, and / or a turbocharger, and / or an air intake, and / or an engine control unit, and / or a tire, and / or a start-stop system.

[0018] In principle, however, the component can also be any other component of the motor vehicle, provided that it is equipped to transmit status data via a communication bus.

[0019] A further advantage is that the communication bus is a CAN bus.

[0020] Status data obtained via a CAN bus is particularly advantageous for determining changes in the behavior and / or characteristics of technical systems. Furthermore, motor vehicles usually have a CAN bus, so no additional communication bus is required.

[0021] A further advantage is that the external computing device is intended to be a backend server and / or a cloud system.

[0022] The changes in behavior and / or characteristics are therefore not detected by the technical system, in particular the vehicle, but by a backend server or a cloud system. This reduces the computing load on the technical system or the vehicle. Furthermore, a backend server or a cloud system can detect changes in behavior and / or characteristics of a large number of technical systems or vehicles.

[0023] If the technical systems are structured into fleets, i.e., into groups of technical systems that are homogeneous with regard to their function but heterogeneous with regard to other criteria of a technical, operational or contextual nature, a fleet comparison can be carried out in particular.

[0024] Advantageously, the criterion is provided that it is an exceeding or falling below a threshold value, or that the criterion is a deviation from previous state data and / or derived data, and / or that the criterion is a match with a pattern, the pattern preferably being determined by means of an artificial intelligence method.

[0025] For example, the threshold could be a predetermined brake pressure or a predetermined stroke of a brake cylinder.

[0026] If the criterion is a deviation from previous state data and / or derived data, then state data and / or derived data of the technical system transmitted to the computing device at an earlier time must be stored. Accordingly, in this case, the external computing device is configured to store the transmitted state data and / or derived data for a predetermined period. By comparing this data with previous state data and / or derived data, modifications, removals, disabling, or manipulations of components of the technical system can be detected.

[0027] Furthermore, particularly when monitoring multiple technical systems, artificial intelligence methods can be used to identify typical patterns in the behavior or characteristics of the components of these systems from state data and / or derived data. Evaluating the state data and / or derived data of the observed technical system against the identified pattern can indicate changes in the behavior and / or characteristics of the technical system compared to the multitude of other technical systems. This is particularly advantageous when the multitude of technical systems is a vehicle fleet. A comparison of the behavior and / or characteristics of the technical system, especially its components, with fleet data can reveal potential manipulation if the characteristics and / or behavior of the technical system deviate from the fleet behavior.Artificial intelligence methods can be used for this purpose, e.g. for anomaly detection.

[0028] A further advantage is provided that the change in behavior and / or properties of the technical system is a non-compliance with a specification, in particular an emission specification, or a removal or rendering unusable or a manipulation or an aging or a wear or an overstressing of at least one component.

[0029] When the technical system in question is a motor vehicle, monitoring emissions specifications is particularly important. Potentially critical changes that could result in non-compliance with emissions specifications include the replacement, removal, or disabling of a component or part, and / or a function of the vehicle. Replacing a component with an inferior one can be identified by detecting an abrupt change in its properties or behavior. Non-critical changes with regard to emissions specifications include, for example, replacing a component with an equivalent one, such as an original part manufactured by the vehicle manufacturer or a supplier in accordance with specifications.

[0030] If the identified change in the behavior and / or properties of the technical system relates to aging, this is preferably detected via a continuous change in the state data or derived data over time. Overstressing of at least one component can occur in a motor vehicle due to certain driving maneuvers. For example, steering rods can break when reversing against a curb. Accordingly, such overstressing of the at least one component can also be detected using this method. It is further advantageous that the transmission of the state data and / or the data derived from the state data to the computing device occurs periodically, preferably every minute, hourly, daily, or weekly.

[0031] Since the aforementioned changes in behavior and / or characteristics are generally not critical for the operation of the technical system, in particular the motor vehicle, it is sufficient if the status data and / or the derived data are sent to the computing device at intervals and / or periodically.

[0032] Furthermore, it may be provided that the status data and / or derived data are sent with each ignition cycle, also called terminal 15 cycle.

[0033] Advantageously, the state data and / or the derived data may include a timestamp and / or at least one measured value, wherein the at least one measured value preferably includes a minimum value and / or a maximum value and / or a gradient. Furthermore, the state data and / or the derived data may include an average value, a quartile value, and / or general statistical descriptors.

[0034] Preferably, the status data and / or derived data are transmitted to the data processing device via a CAN bus. This status data and / or derived data is not calibration data. Preferably, the status data and / or derived data includes a timestamp and at least one measured value. The status data and / or derived data therefore represent time series data, on the basis of which the system behavior and system properties of the technical system, in particular of the component of the technical system, can be determined. Compared to calibration data, time series data can be used to determine, in particular, physical changes in the component.

[0035] A further advantage is that, in addition to the status data and / or the derived data, position data and / or map data can be transmitted to the external computing device.

[0036] This is particularly advantageous when the technical system is a motor vehicle. Thus, changes in the behavior and / or characteristics of the technical system can be linked to geographical positions and / or driving situations. Furthermore, it can be provided that, when the computing device detects a change in the behavior and / or characteristics of the technical system, it sends software, in particular diagnostic software, or a software update to the technical system, in particular to the data processing device.

[0037] Furthermore, it may be provided that, when the computing device detects a change in the behavior and / or characteristics of the technical system, it requests the transmission of further data from the data processing device and / or sends feedback to the technical system, in particular the data processing device.

[0038] This allows the cause of the behavioral and / or trait changes to be narrowed down.

[0039] Furthermore, the computing device may be configured to send feedback to the technical system regarding a change in behavior and / or properties. For example, it may be configured to activate a warning light in a motor vehicle.

[0040] It is also conceivable that the vehicle may only be driven a predetermined number of kilometers and / or must go to the workshop for inspection.

[0041] Furthermore, it may be provided that status data and / or data derived from the status data are transmitted from a multitude of technical systems to the external computing device, and that the criterion is a deviation from a value representative of the multitude of technical systems.

[0042] Accordingly, fleet monitoring of motor vehicles can be carried out.

[0043] Another solution to the problem underlying the invention consists in a system comprising at least one technical system, wherein the at least one technical system comprises at least one component, a communication bus and a data processing device, furthermore including an external computing device and a communication network, wherein the system is configured to carry out a previously described method.

[0044] All functions, features, and configurations described above with regard to the procedure can also be transferred to the system in a correspondingly analogous manner. Accordingly, it can be provided that the technical system is a motor vehicle, and / or that the component is a braking system, in particular a brake disc and / or a brake pad, and / or an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine or an electric motor, and / or a catalytic converter, and / or a turbocharger, and / or an air intake, and / or an engine control unit, and / or a tire, and / or a start-stop system, and / or that the communication bus is a CAN bus, and / or that the external computing device is a backend server and / or a cloud system.

[0045] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show:

[0046] Fig. 1 shows a flowchart for a method for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems, and

[0047] Fig. 2 shows a system designed to carry out a procedure for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems.

[0048] The method 100 described in the flowchart according to Fig. 1 for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems is explained in relation to the system 200 shown in Fig. 2.

[0049] The system 200 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a technical system 10, which is designed as a motor vehicle 11. The motor vehicle 11 includes a plurality of components 12, for example, a brake disc 13 and a turbocharger 14 of an internal combustion engine 15. Furthermore, the motor vehicle includes a communication bus 16 and a data processing device 17. The communication bus 16 is a CAN bus 18. In addition, an external computing device 19 is provided, which is not part of the motor vehicle 11. The external computing device 19 is a cloud system 20. For data transmission 21 between the data processing device 17 and the external computing device 19 via a communication network 22, the motor vehicle 11 also has a data transmission device 23. The communication network 22 is a mobile network 24.

[0050] In the method 100 for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems according to Fig. 1, in a first process step 30, status data of at least one component 12 of the motor vehicle 11, for example, the turbocharger 14, are received by the data processing device 17 via the CAN bus 18. In a second process step 31, the data processing device 17 can optionally determine data derived from the status data and transmit the status data and, if applicable, the derived data to the external computing device 19 via the data transmission device 23 and the mobile network 24. The status data and / or the derived data include a timestamp and at least one measured value and are transmitted periodically, for example, hourly, to the external computing device 19.

[0051] In a third process step 32, the external computing device 19 determines from the state data and / or the derived data whether a change in state over time has occurred in at least one component 12. If the external computing device 19 determines a change in state over time, it compares this change in a fourth process step 33 with a predetermined criterion. In the case described, the predetermined criterion is a deviation of the state data, the derived data, or the change in state over time from typical values ​​expected for component 12 based on the evaluation of a fleet of motor vehicles (not specified in detail).

[0052] If the status data or the derived data meet the criterion, the computing device 19 determines a change in the behavior and / or properties of the motor vehicle 11 in a fifth process step 34. In this case, the computing device 19 can transmit data to the motor vehicle 11 via the mobile network 24, so that a warning light in the motor vehicle 11 is switched on.

[0053] Reference symbol list

[0054] Proceedings

[0055] system

[0056] Technical system

[0057] motor vehicle

[0058] component

[0059] brake disc

[0060] turbocharger

[0061] internal combustion engine

[0062] Communication bus

[0063] Data processing device

[0064] CAN bus

[0065] External computing device

[0066] Cloud system

[0067] Data transmission

[0068] Communication network

[0069] Data transmission device

[0070] Mobile network - 34 procedural steps

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method (100) for detecting changes in the behavior and / or properties of technical systems (10), wherein state data of at least one component (12) of a technical system (10) are received and / or queried by a data processing device (17) of the technical system (10) via a communication bus (16), wherein the state data and / or data derived from the state data by the data processing device (17) are transmitted via a communication network (22) to an external computing device (19), wherein the external computing device (19) determines from the state data and / or the derived data whether a change in the state over time of the at least one component (12) has occurred and compares the change in state over time with a predetermined criterion, wherein the computing device (19) determines a change in the behavior and / or properties of the technical system (10),if the change of state over time fulfills the predetermined criterion.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the technical system (10) is a motor vehicle (11), and / or wherein the component (12) is a braking system, in particular a brake disc (13) and / or a brake pad, and / or an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine (15) or an electric motor, and / or a catalytic converter, and / or a turbocharger (14), and / or an air intake, and / or an engine control unit, and / or a tire, and / or a start-stop system, and / or wherein the communication bus (16) is a CAN bus (18), and / or wherein the external computing device (19) is a backend server and / or a cloud system (20).

3. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the criterion is an exceeding or falling below a threshold value, and / or that the criterion is a deviation from previous state data and / or derived data, and / or that the criterion is a match with a pattern, wherein the pattern is preferably determined by means of an artificial intelligence method.

4. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the change in behavior and / or properties of the technical system (10) is a non-compliance with a specification, in particular an emission specification, or a removal or a rendering unusable or a manipulation or an aging or a wear or an overstressing of the at least one component (12).

5. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission of the status data and / or the data derived from the status data to the computing device (19) takes place periodically, preferably every minute, hourly, daily, or weekly.

6. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the state data and / or the derived data comprise a timestamp and / or at least one measured value, wherein the at least one measured value preferably comprises a minimum value and / or a maximum value and / or a gradient.

7. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in addition to the state data and / or the derived data, position data and / or map data are transmitted to the external computing device (19).

8. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the computing device (19), when the computing device (19) detects a change in the behavior and / or properties of the technical system (10), sends software, in particular diagnostic software, or a software update to the technical system (10), in particular to the data processing device.

9. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the computing device (19) detects a change in the behavior and / or properties of the technical system (10), it requests the transmission of further data from the data processing device and / or sends feedback to the technical system (10), in particular the data processing device (17).

10. Method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that state data and / or data derived from the state data are transmitted from a plurality of technical systems (10) to the external computing device (19), and that the criterion is a deviation from a value representative for the plurality of technical systems (10).

11. System (200) comprising at least one technical system (10), wherein the at least one technical system (10) comprises at least one component (12), a communication bus (16) and a data processing device (17), further comprising an external computing device (19) and a communication network (22), wherein the system is configured to carry out a method (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. System (200) according to claim 11, characterized in that the technical system (10) is a motor vehicle (11), and / or that the component (12) is a braking system, in particular a brake disc (13) and / or a brake pad, and / or an engine, in particular an internal combustion engine (15) or an electric motor, and / or a catalytic converter, and / or a turbocharger (14), and / or an air intake, and / or an engine control unit, and / or a tire, and / or a start-stop system, and / or that the communication bus (16) is a CAN bus (18), and / or that the external computing device (19) is a backend server and / or a cloud system (20).

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