Vehicle Diagnostic Testing Module for Throttle Position Signal Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle diagnostic systems face challenges in effectively diagnosing hardware input/output (HWIO) faults in internal combustion engines, particularly due to limitations in interpreting throttle position signals, which are often analog and require conversion to digital formats for accurate fault detection.
Innovation Solution
A testing module is introduced that receives throttle position signals, generates test signals in Single Edge Nibble Transmission (SENT) format, and outputs them to the engine control module, allowing for user-defined pulse characteristics to simulate specific fault conditions, enabling the diagnostic module to detect HWIO faults.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If analog throttle position signals are directly used for fault detection, then the system operation is simple, but the measurement precision and fault detection accuracy are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
An analog-to-digital converter is introduced as an intermediary device to convert analog throttle position signals into digital format. This converter serves as a mediator between the analog sensor output and the digital processing requirements of the control module, enabling precise digital measurement while maintaining system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct analog signal processing with digital signal processing by converting analog throttle position signals into digital format. This substitution enables more precise measurement and processing capabilities while allowing for sophisticated fault detection algorithms to be implemented in digital form.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard test signals are used for HWIO fault diagnosis, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to simulate specific fault conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The testing module incorporates dynamically adjustable parameters including pulse width, pulse train frequency, and duty cycle. These parameters can be modified in real-time to simulate various fault conditions, making the testing system adaptable to different diagnostic scenarios while maintaining a unified hardware architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the test signal characteristics (pulse width, frequency, duty cycle) to simulate different fault conditions. By varying these parameters, the system can reproduce specific HWIO faults without requiring multiple specialized testing devices, thereby achieving high adaptability through parameter modulation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate testing devices are used for different signal types, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall device complexity and system integration become problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The testing module is designed as a universal multi-functional device that can generate various types of test signals (PWM, SENT, and other formatted signals) through a single integrated system. The module uses configurable pulse generation and encoding capabilities to adapt to different signal requirements, eliminating the need for multiple separate testing devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple signal generation functions into a single integrated testing module. By merging pulse width modulation, SENT protocol generation, and various fault simulation capabilities into one device, the system achieves signal type compatibility while reducing the total number of testing devices required.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the ability to diagnose HWIO faults by converting analog throttle position signals to digital formats and generating test signals that mimic fault conditions, improving the accuracy and responsiveness of fault detection in vehicle diagnostic systems.
Implementation Method 1
The A/D converter generates a second throttle position based on the throttle position signal
Data Source
AI summary
A testing module includes a first input, a second input, an output, a decoder module, an analog to digital (A/D) converter, and an output generator module. The testing module receives a throttle position signal from a throttle position sensor of a vehicle at the first input. The decoder module generates a first throttle position based on a length of at least one pulse in the throttle position signal. The A/D converter generates a second throttle position based on the throttle position signal. The testing module receives user input at the second input. The output generator module generates a test signal in a single edge nibble transmission (SENT) format based on the user input and one of the first and second throttle positions. The testing module outputs the test signal to a control module of the vehicle at the output.