Ring Buffer Data Recording for Vehicle Fault Diagnosis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for recording and evaluating operating data in motor vehicles face challenges in identifying faults due to the complexity of processing large data volumes, particularly during test drives, leading to time-consuming and error-prone manual evaluation processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that record operating data within defined time intervals around specific events, using a ring memory for continuous data logging before and linear recording after an event occurs, allowing for precise error diagnosis and convenient evaluation by linking data with time and additional information through a smartphone app and cloud-based backend analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire data volume is continuously recorded on the vehicle bus during a test drive, then the complete operating data is captured, but the complexity of evaluation increases and fault identification becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous data stream into discrete event-related fragments by detecting specific trigger events (malfunctions, warnings, driver actions). Only data surrounding these triggered events is extracted and stored, rather than processing the entire continuous data volume. This segmentation reduces evaluation complexity while maintaining reliable fault identification by focusing on relevant data portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts only the necessary data fragments related to specific events from the mass of recorded CAN data. When a trigger event occurs, the system extracts and stores only the data surrounding that event, discarding or ignoring the rest of the continuous data stream. This extraction approach simplifies evaluation by eliminating irrelevant data while preserving all information needed for fault diagnosis.
2Reliability
If manual extraction and synchronization of data fragments is performed, then fault analysis can be conducted, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring the data stream and automatically detecting trigger events in real-time during the test drive. When an event is detected, the system immediately extracts and stores the relevant data fragments with proper time synchronization already established. This preliminary processing eliminates the need for time-consuming manual extraction and synchronization later, reducing evaluation time while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms where detected events trigger immediate data extraction and storage operations. The evaluation unit receives pre-processed, synchronized data fragments ready for analysis, eliminating manual intervention. This automated feedback loop reduces evaluation time and minimizes human error while preserving accurate fault diagnosis capability.
3Speed
If a ring buffer is used to record data before an event, then recent operating data is available, but the data volume is limited by buffer capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the data recording strategy based on event detection. The ring buffer continuously overwrites old data at a fixed rate, maintaining quick access to recent operating conditions. When a trigger event occurs, the system captures the current buffer state and appends subsequent data, effectively expanding the recorded volume only when needed. This dynamic approach maintains fast data access speed while increasing data volume availability at critical moments.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and system for recording operating data in a motor vehicle 1 in operation, wherein the operating data to be recorded is acquired by means of sensors located on the motor vehicle 1, wherein the sensors or their evaluation modules are in a data-conducting connection with a storage unit 2 via a common data line, in particular a CAN bus, and wherein the operating data is recorded in the storage unit 2, wherein the operating data is recorded within a time interval of a predefinable length, wherein the start time of the time interval is defined by the memory content of the storage unit designed as a ring buffer, wherein the ring buffer continuously records the operating data during operation and overwrites it starting from the beginning when its memory capacity is reached, wherein the end time of the time interval is defined by a user setting.wherein a start command fixes the time interval at a fixed point in time, wherein the time interval has a first sub-interval that lies before the fixed point and a second sub-interval that lies after the fixed point, wherein the start command copies the current contents of the ring buffer as the first sub-interval into a memory, wherein the operating data recorded from the fixed point to the end time are copied as the second sub-interval into a memory, and wherein the operating data from the two sub-intervals are coupled sequentially in time.