Method for checking the correct functioning of a component in a vehicle

• US 20090306847A1
• Filed: 05/05/2009
• Published: 12/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Hofsaess, Michael, Fetzer, Georg, Abendroth, Manfred
• Granted Patent: US 8,271,160 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 2270/413 Plausibility monitoring, cross check, redundancy
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/368 combined with other mechanical components, e.g. pump units, master cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 8/885 using electrical circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 21/00 Testing or calibrating of apparatus or devices covered by the preceding groups

Abstract

In a method for checking the proper functioning of a component in a vehicle by evaluating the system state of the component with the aid of a sensor, a state variable is measured first and then the measured state variable is examined for at least one characteristic feature that is descriptive of the system state of the component.

Claims

1. A method for checking the proper functioning of a component in a vehicle by evaluating the system state of the component, comprising:

measuring at least one state variable of the component, wherein the at least one state variable includes at least one of linear acceleration, transverse acceleration, and rate of rotation; and

checking the at least one measured state variable for the presence of at least one characteristic feature descriptive of the system state of the component.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one characteristic feature is determined in a reference measurement.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein to determine the at least one characteristic feature in the reference measurement, the component is adjusted to modify the system state of the component.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the at least one measured state variable is checked at regular intervals for the presence of the at least one characteristic feature.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one measured state variable is linear acceleration.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the at least one measure state variable is rate of rotation.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the amplitude of the at least one measured state variable is checked as the at least one characteristic feature.

8. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the frequency of the at least one measured state variable is checked as the at least one characteristic feature.

9. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the time interval between two successive amplitudes in the at least one measured state variable is checked as the at least one characteristic feature.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the system state of a control valve in the vehicle is determined.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the valve body of the control valve is adjusted based on signals from a control device, and wherein the effect of valve body deflection on the at least one measured state variable checked.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the system state of an electric pump in the vehicle is determined.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one of a vibration of the pump motor, an abrupt torque change, an irregular operation of the pump motor, and irregular rotational frequency of the pump motor is identified via the at least one characteristic feature.

14. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the system state of a damping element in the vehicle is determined.

15. The method as recited in claim 14, wherein a rotary motion of the damping element as a result of a start-up of a pump motor is identified via the at least one characteristic feature.

16. A control device for checking the proper functioning of a component in a vehicle by evaluating the system state of the component, comprising:

a sensor configured to measure at least one state variable of the component, wherein the at least one state variable includes at least one of linear acceleration, transverse acceleration, and rate of rotation; and

an arrangement configured to check the at least one measured state variable for the presence of at least one characteristic feature descriptive of the system state of the component;

wherein the at least one measured state variable is checked at regular intervals for the presence of the at least one characteristic feature.

17. The control device as recited in claim 16, wherein the amplitude of the at least one measured state variable is checked as the at least one characteristic feature.

18. The control device as recited in claim 16, wherein the frequency of the at least one measured state variable is checked as the at least one characteristic feature.

19. The control device as recited in claim 16, wherein the time interval between two successive amplitudes in the at least one measured state variable is checked as the at least one characteristic feature.