AUTOMATED SYNCHRONIZED SERVICE INTERVALS FOR VEHICLES

• US 20080042820A1
• Filed: 08/16/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Larson, Gerald L., Carlstrom, Kevin R., Miller, Steven P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,535,347 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/457.4
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/0072 the wheels of the vehicle co-operating with rotatable rolls G01M17/022, G01M17/045, G01M17/065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance

Abstract

A system and process for optimizing vehicle service intervals for a plurality of vehicle service items begins with determination of a minimum service interval. The minimum service interval is set by the need to provide critical, though routine services such as engine oil changes and chassis lubrication. Multiple potential service intervals exist for at least one component, typically engine oil changes, based on different vehicle operating variables. Depending upon the character of vehicle use, one variable will control determination of the recommended interval for engine oil, which, after conversion to distance, is compared with the chassis lubrication to find the minimum service interval. Additional components/fluids are included for service based on operational variables selected to determine service intervals for these components.

Claims

1. A method of optimizing vehicle service intervals for a plurality of vehicle service items, the method comprising the steps of:

selecting at least a first primary service item;

defining a plurality recommended service intervals for different vehicle operating variables for the first primary service items;

periodically determining service intervals normalized to distance traveled for the first primary service item and predicting a minimum service interval based on the smallest result of the periodic determination; and

selecting at least a first vehicle service item other than the first primary service item for service at the minimum service interval.

2. A method of optimizing vehicle service intervals as claimed in claim 1, the step of selecting at the first vehicle service item for service with the first primary service item comprising the additional steps of:

monitoring operational variables determinative of service intervals for the non-primary vehicle service items;

if required, for a particular non-primary vehicle service item, generating a service interval in terms of distance; and

determining an adjusted service interval for the at least first non-primary item based on a ratio of the minimum service interval and the service interval for the at least first non-primary item and multiplying the service interval for the at least first non-primary item by the ratio.

3. A method of optimizing vehicle service intervals as claimed in claim 2, comprising the additional steps of:

selecting a second primary service item with a recommended service interval for comparison to service intervals for the first primary service item;

when determining the minimum service interval comparing the recommended service interval for the second primary service item with the possible service intervals for the first primary service item to find the shortest in terms of distance; and

regularly testing for occurrence of a service interval override item.

4. A method of optimizing vehicle service intervals as claimed in claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

developing a vehicle usage factor based on vehicle operational variables for adjusting the service intervals including the minimum service interval; and

adjusting the service intervals by the vehicle usage factor.

5. A method of optimizing vehicle service intervals as claimed in claim 4, the step of developing a vehicle usage factor further comprising:

periodically determining ratios of vehicle operating variables to predetermined norms;

weighting and summing the ratios and dividing by an index to produce an adjustment factor.

6. A motor vehicle comprising:

an onboard computer;

a plurality of sensors for generating values related to vehicle operating variables;

a stored program for tracking the generated values against limits for a plurality of vehicle components and fluids and translating the track against limits to distance intervals where required;

the stored program providing for treating selected vehicle components and fluids a controlling determination of a minimum service interval; and

the stored program further providing for determining non-selected components and fluids for service with the component or fluid controlling determination of the minimum service interval.

7. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 6, further comprising:

the selected components and fluids including engine oil and chassis lubricant.

8. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 7,

the stored program further providing for developing a vehicle use factor related to severity of use for adjusting service intervals.

9. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 8,

wherein the stored program is locally executed on the on board computer.

10. A motor vehicle as set forth in claim 8,

wherein the on board computer provides for transmission of the values for the vehicle operating variables to a remote computer on which the stored program is executed.

11. Apparatus for processing vehicle operating data and responsive thereto scheduling a vehicle for service of selected components and fluids, the apparatus comprising:

a plurality of sensors installed on a vehicle for collecting operational data relating to the vehicle;

data processing means having access to operating limits for components and fluids on the vehicle and coupled to receive the operational data for tracking them against the operating limits, the data processing means being programmed to determine a minimum service interval for the vehicle based projecting which of a selected group of operating limits will be reached first; and

the data processing means being further programmed for scheduling components and fluids for service based on the minimum service interval for the vehicle based on the track of operational data or datum identified with operating limits or an operating limit for each component and fluid.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

the data processing means including local processing means installed on the vehicle and remote processing means; and

a communication link between the local and remote processing means.