Detecting Temporary Electrical Supply Line Interruptions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to effectively detect temporary interruptions or faulty connections in electrical supply lines, particularly in motor vehicles, leading to difficulties in troubleshooting and increased warranty costs due to the sporadic nature of these issues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that record temporary interruptions and faulty connections in an error memory, allowing for identification of the affected supply line, and utilize monitoring of brief deviations in electrical current intensity to detect gradual deterioration in connections, with low-order bits of an error word changed for minor deviations, enabling detection of loose contacts and reducing warranty costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional monitoring methods are used to detect supply line failures, then permanent interruptions can be identified, but temporary interruptions and sporadic errors cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring current intensity and storing deviation information in an error memory before permanent failure occurs. The method records temporary interruptions and evaluates them over time, enabling detection of sporadic errors that would otherwise go unnoticed until a permanent failure happens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously measuring current intensity, comparing it against expected values, and storing deviation information in an error memory. This feedback loop enables the system to track temporary interruptions and evaluate whether they indicate developing faults, providing ongoing information about supply line health.
2Reliability
If repeated examinations are performed to find sporadic errors, then detection probability increases, but time loss and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring and stores error information during normal operation, so that when troubleshooting is needed, the stored data is already available. This eliminates the need for repeated examinations to reproduce sporadic errors, as the system has already captured the deviation information during the actual occurrence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service by automatically monitoring, recording, and evaluating supply line conditions without requiring external intervention or repeated testing. The error memory automatically captures and preserves information about temporary interruptions, enabling quick identification of faulty components during warranty service without time-consuming repeated examinations.
3Ease of operation
If larger assemblies are replaced to avoid repeated visits, then customer satisfaction improves, but warranty costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables segmentation by providing precise information about which specific supply line or component is experiencing issues through the error memory. This allows replacement of only the smallest faulty component rather than larger assemblies, reducing warranty costs while maintaining service efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system substitutes mechanical trial-and-error replacement methods with electronic monitoring and information storage. Instead of replacing larger assemblies on a trial basis, the electronic error memory provides precise diagnostic information about the actual faulty component, enabling targeted replacement that reduces both time and cost.
4Measurement precision
If detailed monitoring of current intensity deviations is implemented, then detection precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for diagnosis by storing deviation information in an error memory without requiring complex real-time analysis. The method takes out and preserves the key diagnostic data (current intensity deviations and their timing) while keeping the overall system relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses parameter changes by monitoring current intensity deviations and storing them in different states in the error memory based on evaluation results. The method changes the state of error information based on whether deviations occur, enabling precise tracking of supply line conditions through simple binary or multi-state storage.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a device for recognizing a temporary interruption of an electrical supply line between a control device and an adjustment device of an internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle and/or a temporary faulty connection of the supply line to operating voltage or ground. According to the invention, the temporary interruption and/or faulty connection is recorded in an error memory as an interruption, with an identification of the affected supply line. After said recording of the event in the error memory, it is possible at a shop to identify the faulty supply line or the faulty component and to then replace the smallest definable component. According to the prior art, larger assemblies or even non-defective assemblies are sometimes replaced under warranty in order to prevent further visits to the shop. This can be connected with considerable costs, however, such as in the case of electronic control devices.