Push-Button Start System Fault Diagnosis via Sequence Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing no-start failures in vehicle push-button start systems are inefficient as they do not effectively link diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) to the start sequence and control operations, making it difficult for technicians to identify faults, especially in complex systems where conditions are not related to specific components and failures can be intermittent.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that monitors the start sequence of a vehicle push-button start system, identifying key steps such as crank power mode, starter control relay enablement, and engine stall conditions, and uses DTCs, PID values, and bus messages to perform diagnoses like no crank, starter not-enabled, starter disabled, and engine stall diagnoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional diagnostic tools are used to connect to the vehicle controller, then DTCs can be downloaded to identify component faults, but the complex start sequence conditions cannot be effectively diagnosed when no specific component failure occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the start sequence into distinct phases (crank request, crank execution, engine start, engine run) and monitors specific conditions at each phase. This segmentation allows the system to identify exactly which phase failed without requiring technicians to navigate through complex diagnostic trees, thereby improving measurement precision while reducing perceived diagnostic complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and recording of start sequence conditions during normal operation. When a no-start failure occurs, the diagnostic information is already captured and stored, eliminating the need for technicians to perform trial-and-error testing. This preliminary action enables precise fault identification without increasing diagnostic complexity.
2Reliability
If technicians rely on experience and trial and error to replace and test different components, then intermittent failures can be investigated, but the diagnostic process becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring start sequence conditions and storing diagnostic information in the controller memory. When a failure occurs, the system provides immediate feedback through stored DTCs and condition data that indicate exactly what failed and when. This feedback mechanism eliminates time-consuming trial-and-error while maintaining high reliability for diagnosing intermittent failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary diagnostic system that acts as a mediator between the complex start sequence control operations and the technician. This intermediary automatically monitors, records, and presents diagnostic information in a structured format, translating complex multi-component interactions into simple, actionable fault codes that reduce diagnostic time while maintaining accuracy.
3Reliability
If the start sequence monitors multiple conditions including wireless communication authorization and brake application, then system safety and control are improved, but DTCs cannot be issued for conditions not related to specific components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal diagnostic framework that handles both component-specific failures (traditional DTCs) and sequence-condition failures (new DTCs). The system maintains the existing reliability of start control by monitoring multiple conditions while simultaneously capturing diagnostic information for all monitored conditions, thus preventing loss of diagnostic information without compromising control reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for diagnosing a no-start fault of a vehicle push-button start system including a push-button switch, where the system starts a vehicle engine if the switch is pressed and a vehicle brake is applied. The method includes detecting that a no engine crank condition has occurred if the switch is pressed and the brake is applied, and if so, performs a no crank diagnosis. The method also includes determining that a starter control relay has not been enabled after the system is in a crank power mode, and if so, performs a starter not-enabled diagnosis. The method also includes determining that the starter control relay has been disabled before the engine is running, and if so, performs a start disable diagnosis. The method also includes determining that the engine has stalled within some minimum time after it has successfully been started, and if so, performs an engine stall diagnosis.