Instantaneous wire interruption detection system for vehicle electrical system

• US 7,092,829 B2
• Filed: 01/29/2004
• Issued: 08/15/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Advics Company Limited (Aisin Corp.), DENSO Corporation
• Original Assignee: Advics Company Limited (Aisin Corp.), DENSO Corporation
• Inventors: Fujita, Hirohisa, Makino, Nobuhiko, Katsukura, Toyoharu, Kato, Masayasu
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoff, Marc S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barbee, Manuel L
• Application Number:
  US10/766,321
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220776A1
• Time in Patent Office: 929 Days
• Field of Search: 702 57- 59, 702/66, 702/117, 702/182, 702183-185, 702/188, 324/503, 324/504, 324/512, 324/543, 325/555, 325/556, 701/29, 701/31, 701/35, 340/438, 340/458, 340/652
• US Class Current: 702/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/52 Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/54 Testing for continuity
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/58 Testing of lines, cables or conductors testing of electric windings G01R31/72

Abstract

In an instantaneous wire interruption detection system for a vehicle electrical system, a VSC-ECU includes an input processing circuit that processes electric signals transmitted from various sensors and an EFI-ECU by a signal wire (wire harness); a signal state determination circuit that determines whether the electric signals processed by the input processing circuit are normal or abnormal; a latch circuit that latches the determination result as a latch signal; and an output circuit that can output the latch signal. When a signal abnormality is detected by the signal state determination circuit, the latch circuit is able to generate the latch signal in synchronization therewith, and latch the latch signal for a predetermined time. Accordingly, for example, by connecting a tester device to the output circuit, and monitoring the latch signal, it is possible to detect instantaneous wire interruption of the electrical system.

Claims

1. An instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle that detects an instantaneous wire interruption that occurs in the electrical system of the vehicle due to a temporary contact failure, comprising:

a signal abnormality detection portion for detecting a signal abnormality, the signal abnormality being temporarily reproduced when a repair center vibrates a signal wire of the vehicle, to provide a detection result; and

a holding portion for latching the detection result as a latch signal when the signal abnormality detection portion detects the signal abnormality;

an output circuit for outputting the latch signal; and

an external connection unit, being connected to the output circuit only when the repair center checks for the signal abnormality so as to receive the latch signal, wherein the external connection unit is provided with a warning device that issues the warning when the signal abnormality is detected.

2. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

an electric signal generated by a signal generation portion is a signal that accords with a determined communication protocol, and

the signal abnormality detection portion, when the signal that accords with the determined communication protocol is being transmitted from the signal generation portion, determines the normal state to be a state in which the signal that accords with the determined communication protocol is being input continuously, and determines the abnormal state to be a state in which the signal that accords with the determined communication protocol is interrupted, despite the fact that the signal generation portion is transmitting the signal that accords with the determined communication protocol.

3. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

an electric signal generated by a signal generation portion is a digital pulse signal, and

the signal abnormality detection portion, when the pulse signal is being transmitted from the signal generation portion, determines the normal state to be a state in which the pulse signal is being input continuously at a fixed time interval, and determines the abnormal state to be, one of, a state in which the pulse signal is input at a time interval longer than the fixed time interval, and a state in which the pulse signal is interrupted, despite the fact that the signal generation portion is transmitting the pulse signal.

4. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

an electric signal generated by a signal generation portion is a digital signal that is maintained at a fixed, ON state signal level, and

the signal abnormality detection portion, when the digital signal is being transmitted from the signal generation portion, determines the normal state to be a state in which the digital signal is being input in the maintained ON state, and determines the abnormal state to be a state in which the digital signal is interrupted, despite the fact that the signal generation portion is transmitting the digital signal.

5. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

an electric signal generated by a signal generation portion is an analogue signal, and

the signal abnormality detection portion, when the analogue signal is being transmitted from the signal generation portion, determines the normal state to be a state in which the analogue signal is being input continuously, and determines the abnormal state to be a state in which the analogue signal is interrupted, despite the fact that the signal generation portion is transmitting the analogue signal.

6. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion latches the latch signal for a predetermined time.

7. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the output circuit is configured for temporary connection to the external connection unit.

8. The instantaneous wire interruption detection system for an electrical system of a vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising an actuator connected to the output circuit, the actuator receiving the latch signal and being configured to operate in accordance with the latch signal.