Vehicle Controller Active Self-Testing for Subsystem Health
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical systems lack comprehensive and proactive methods for diagnosing the health of subsystems, leading to limited predictive data and potential performance issues, especially in identifying health-based problems in redundant subsystems during normal operation.
Innovation Solution
A controller-based active self-testing method that uses vehicle health management information to initiate diagnostic sequences, selecting and applying testing profiles such as step, ramp, or cycles-per-second profiles to subsystems, thereby estimating their state of health and recording diagnostic codes when thresholds are met, ensuring proactive data collection across a range of operating conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If passive or opportunistic testing of subsystems is used, then the system operation is simple and uninterrupted, but the diagnostic data coverage is limited and incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively initiates diagnostic tests before failures occur by monitoring VHM information and automatically selecting appropriate testing profiles when thresholds are met, rather than waiting for passive failure conditions to arise
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically analyzing its own VHM information and executing relevant diagnostic sequences without external intervention, enabling the subsystems to test themselves based on their operational data
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive active self-testing is implemented, then the state of health estimation accuracy is improved, but the system complexity and testing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller applies different testing profiles to different subsystems based on their specific characteristics and the nature of anomalies detected in their VHM information, rather than using a uniform testing approach for all components
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts diagnostic parameters by selecting from multiple predefined testing profiles (e.g., different test sequences, thresholds, and methods) based on the specific VHM information analyzed, allowing adaptive testing depth and scope
3Reliability
If redundant subsystems are placed on standby during normal operation, then the system reliability is improved, but the ability to diagnose standby subsystem health is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller proactively diagnoses standby subsystems by initiating diagnostic sequences before they are needed, using VHM information to detect potential issues while the subsystems are still accessible and can be tested
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that can activate and test standby subsystems through controlled signaling, enabling diagnostic access to components that would otherwise remain inactive and inaccessible during normal operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for use with a vehicle having one or more subsystems includes receiving vehicle health management (VHM) information via a controller indicative of a state of health of the subsystem. The VHM information is based on prior testing results of the subsystem. The method includes determining a required testing profile using the testing results, applying the testing profile to the subsystem to thereby control a state of the subsystem, and measuring a response of the subsystem to the applied testing profile. The method also includes recording additional testing results in memory of the controller that is indicative of a response of the subsystem to the applied testing profile. The vehicle includes a plurality of subsystems and a controller configured to execute the method.