Device for checking the function of an electronically controlled regulating system in a motor vehicle following a manufacturing process

• US 5,952,565 A
• Filed: 05/27/1998
• Issued: 09/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Bauer, Werner, Haas, Anton, Huber, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): DOMBROSKE, GEORGE M
• Application Number:
  US09/085,753
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 701/31, 701/35, 701/99, 701/101, 73/865.9, 73/116, 73/117.2, 73/117.3, 73/118.1
• US Class Current: 73/114.61
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/006 on road vehicles, e.g. automobiles or trucks testing of ignition installations peculiar to internal combustion engines F02P17/00

Abstract

Following installation of a device for functionally testing an electronically controlled regulating system in a motor vehicle, it is operated, and during its operation data is detected and stored in a test system at a production facility. The data collection occurs for the duration of a particular vehicle'"'"'s operation over a defined distance at the production facility.

Claims

1. A device for testing functionality of an electronically controlled regulating system in a motor vehicle following substantial manufacture of the motor vehicle at a production facility, comprising:

a test system for detecting data output from the electronically controlled regulating system;

means included in said system for storing said data output from the electronically controlled regulating system; and

means for operating the vehicle over a defined duration according to a predetermined operating sequence which operating sequence activates said electronically controlled regulating system to send data to said test system.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the test device is connected in the vehicle with the regulating system.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the test device is located outside the vehicle and communicates remotely with the regulating system.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence includes at least one of distance segments, curve radii and temperatures.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined sequence includes at least one of rapidly depressing a vehicle accelerator, operating vehicle brakes, steering movements and shifting gears.

6. A method of testing functionality of an electronically controlled regulating system in a motor vehicle following substantial manufacture of the motor vehicle, comprising:

operating the vehicle over a defined duration according to a predetermined uniform sequence which activates said electronically controlled regulating system;

detecting data output by said electronically controlled regulating system in a test system during said predetermined uniform sequence; and

storing detected data for analysis to evaluate functional operability of said electronically controlled regulating system.

7. Method of manufacturing vehicles which includes an electronically controlled regulating system, comprising:

assembling said vehicles;

operating said vehicles over a defined duration according to a predetermined uniform sequence which activates said electronically controlled regulating system;

detecting data output by said electronically controlled regulating system during said predetermined uniform sequence; and

storing detected data for analysis to evaluate functional operability of said electronically controlled regulating system.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

communicating remotely with the electronically controlled regulating system via a test device located outside of the vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined uniform sequence is at least one of distance segments, curve radii and temperatures.

10. The device according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined uniform sequence is at least one of rapidly depressing a vehicle accelerator, operating vehicle brakes, steering movements and shifting gears.