DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FAULTS IN ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

• US 20160110937A1
• Filed: 06/02/2014
• Published: 04/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cabeco AB (Cabeco Holding AB)
• Original Assignee: Cabeco AB (Cabeco Holding AB)
• Inventors: Berglund, Sam, Glemring, Sverker, Rosendahl, Johan
• Granted Patent: US 9,773,358 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0808 Diagnosing performance data testing of vehicles G01M17/00; testing of electrical installation on vehicles G01R31/005
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/0883 wherein the data carrier is removable

Abstract

A device and a method for detecting faults in an electrical system. The fault detection device includes, a first measuring unit configured to receive a first error value indicative of a fault in a subset of a plurality of components, a communication unit configured to provide information to a user interface, a second measuring unit configured to be electrically connected directly to each of at least two of the plurality of components, and a processing unit connected to and configured to control the first measuring unit, the second measuring unit, and the communication unit. The second measuring unit is configured to, based on the first error value, determine a operational status of each of the components in the subset.

Claims

1. A fault detection device for detecting faults in an electrical system comprising at least one electrical control unit electrically connected to a plurality of electrical components, said fault detection device comprising:

a first measuring unit configured to receive, from said electrical control unit, a first error value indicative of a fault in a subset comprising at least two of said plurality of electrical components;

a communication unit configured to provide information to a user interface;

a second measuring unit configured to be electrically connected directly to each of said at least two of said plurality of electrical components in said subset; and

a processing unit connected to and configured to control said first measuring unit, said second measuring unit, and said communication unit,

wherein said second measuring unit is configured to, based on said first error value indicative of a fault in said subset, determine an operational status of each of said electrical components in said subset of electrical components; and

wherein, said communication unit is configured to provide, to said user interface, an indication of said operational status.

2. The fault detection device according to claim 1, wherein said second measuring unit is configured to be electrically connected simultaneously to each of said at least two of said plurality of electrical components in said subset during a measurement.

3. The fault detection device according to claim 2, wherein said second measuring unit is configured to determine an operational status simultaneously of each of said at least two electrical components.

4. The fault detection device according to claim 1, wherein said operational status is determined for each of said electrical components in said subset of electrical components, wherein said operational status is an indication of whether each of said electrical components in said subset is faulty.

5. The fault detection device according claim 1, wherein said first error value is received via a third measuring unit arranged between said first measuring unit and said electrical control unit.

6. The fault detection device according to claim 5, wherein said third measuring unit is an on-board diagnosing unit of a vehicle.

7. The fault detection device according to claim 1, wherein said fault detection device is electrically connected to said electrical system via a cable comprising an identification unit, wherein said processing unit and/or an external reader is configured to receive, from said identification unit, information indicative of an identity of said cable and/or said electrical control unit.

8. The fault detection device according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is a visual interface, audio interface, haptic interface, or combinations thereof.

9. The fault detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a memory storage device configured to store fault information indicative of said first error value and/or said operational status of said electrical components.

10. The fault detection device according to claim 1, further comprising a transceiver configured to transmit fault information indicative of said first error value and/or said operational status to a remote unit, and to receive, from said remote unit, information relating to said fault information.

11. A system comprising the fault detection device according to claim 1, a remote unit, and an electrical system comprising at least one electrical control unit electrically connected to a plurality of electrical components.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said remote unit is a central expert unit further configured to remotely control said electrical system.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said electrical system is comprised in a vehicle, an airplane, a medical device, a motorized device, or an electrical device.

14. A method for detecting faults in an electrical system using the fault detection device according to claim 1, said electrical system comprising at least one electrical control unit electrically connected to a plurality of electrical components, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by said first measuring unit, from said electrical control unit, a first error value indicative of a fault in a subset comprising at least two of said plurality of electrical components;

determining, by said second measuring unit, based on said first error value, an operational status of each of said electrical components in said subset of electrical components; and

providing, to an user interface, an indication of said operational status.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting fault information indicative of said first error value and/or said operational status to a remote unit, and to receive instructions depending on said fault information from said remote unit.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of storing fault information indicative of said first error value and/or said operational status in a database, and/or receiving, by said fault detection device, fault information from said database.

17. The method according to claim 14, further comprising a step of determining an identity of said electrical control unit, wherein said identity is provided from an identification unit arranged in a cable configured to connect said fault detection device to said electrical control unit.