Diagnostic system for a vehicle

• US 9,514,581 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2015
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shem, LLC
• Original Assignee: Shem, LLC
• Inventors: Rood, Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright, Dirk
• Application Number:
  US14/588,701
• Publication Number:
  US 20150193993A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/0205 Diagnosing or detecting failures; Failure detection models
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 50/04 Monitoring the functioning of the control system
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/22 Safety or indicating devices for abnormal conditions in air/fuel ratio feedback systems F02D41/1495, in electric control linkage F02D11/107, in purge control systems F02M25/0809
• CPC Class Codes: F02N 2200/08 said parameters being related to the vehicle or its components
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2205/02 using a vehicle scan tool
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• 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 5/0816 Indicating performance data, e.g. occurrence of a malfunction

Abstract

A vehicle that includes a chassis, wheels, a drivetrain including an engine and a transmission, and a brake system. The vehicle also has a vehicle control system that includes controllers for the engine, the transmission controller, and the brake system, a vehicle network connected to the controllers to permit communication to and from these components, and a primary vehicle controller connected to the network and configured to communicate with the controllers. The vehicle further includes a vehicle diagnostic system that is connected to the network and configured to communicate with the various controllers. The diagnostic system is configured to operate in a diagnostic mode, in which the diagnostic system is configured to display diagnostic information from one or more of the controllers. The diagnostic system may further be configured to operate in a display mode, where the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to display operating information regarding the vehicle.

Claims

1. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis;

a plurality of wheels connected to the chassis;

a drivetrain connected to the chassis and configured to supply power to one or more of the wheels, the drivetrain comprising an engine and a transmission;

a brake system connected to the chassis;

a vehicle control system comprising;

an engine controller connected to the engine and configured to control the engine;

a transmission controller connected to the transmission and configured to control the transmission;

a brake controller connected to the brake system and configured to control the brake system;

a vehicle network connected to the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller, the vehicle network configured to permit communication to and from the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller;

a primary vehicle controller connected to the vehicle network and configured to communicate with the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller; and

a vehicle diagnostic system comprising a memory, a processor, and a display, the vehicle diagnostic system connected to the vehicle network and configured to communicate with the engine controller, the transmission controller, the brake controller, and the primary vehicle controller, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to operate in a diagnostic mode, in which the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to display diagnostic information from at least the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller,

wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting a signal to force an output from the vehicle control system, and wherein the engine controller is configured to only accept instructions from the primary vehicle controller such that instructions from the diagnostic system to the engine controller to force the output are only communicated indirectly through the primary vehicle controller.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the brake system comprises a main brake and a parking brake, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured such that the diagnostic mode is only accessible when the vehicle diagnostic system detects that the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is engaged.

3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to continuously monitor whether the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is engaged.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to execute a light checking function, wherein the light checking function cycles through activating a first plurality of external vehicle lights on a first side of the vehicle followed by a second plurality of external vehicle lights on a second side of the vehicle, thereby allowing a single user to inspect all of the external vehicle lights.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting the signal directly to one of the transmission controller and the brake controller to force the output from the one of the transmission controller and the brake controller.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the transmission controller and the brake controller are configured to only accept instructions from the primary vehicle controller such that instructions from the diagnostic system to the transmission controller or the brake controller to force the output are only communicated indirectly through the primary vehicle controller.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the signal is configured to force the output from the vehicle control system on or off.

8. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has an operator cab configured to hold an operator, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system further comprises a user input configured to accept input from the operator, and wherein the display and the user input are located within the operator cab.

9. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further comprises a fuel system configured for providing fuel to the engine and a fuel controller connected to the fuel system and configured to control the fuel system, wherein the fuel controller is connected to the network, wherein the primary vehicle controller is further configured to communicate with the fuel controller, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to display diagnostic information from the fuel controller.

10. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to operate in a display mode, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to display operating information regarding the vehicle.

11. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle further includes a body supported by the chassis, wherein the vehicle control system further includes a body controller connected to the body and configured to control the body, wherein the body controller is connected to the vehicle network, and the primary vehicle controller is configured to communicate with the body controller, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to communicate with the body controller and to display diagnostic information from the body controller in the diagnostic mode.

12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting a signal to the body controller to force an output from the body controller.

13. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to display active fault codes from at least the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller in the diagnostic mode.

14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to monitor all messages on the vehicle network and to display diagnostic information related only to specific messages pertinent to desired functionality.

15. A vehicle comprising:

a chassis;

an operator cab supported by the chassis and configured to hold an operator;

a plurality of wheels connected to the chassis;

a drivetrain connected to the chassis and configured to supply power to one or more of the wheels, the drivetrain comprising an engine and a transmission;

a brake system connected to the chassis, the brake system comprising a main brake and a parking brake;

a vehicle control system connected to the engine, the transmission, and the brake system and configured to control the engine, the transmission, and the brake system;

a vehicle network connected to the vehicle control system and configured to permit communication between components of the vehicle control system; and

a vehicle diagnostic system comprising a memory, a processor, and a user interface positioned within the operator cab and including a display configured for displaying information and a user input configured to receive input from the operator, the vehicle diagnostic system connected to the vehicle network and configured to communicate with the vehicle control system, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to operate in at least a display mode and a diagnostic mode, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to display operating information regarding the vehicle in the display mode, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to display diagnostic information from the vehicle control system in the diagnostic mode,

wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to monitor all messages on the vehicle network and only take action on message with pre-defined headers,

wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to continuously monitor whether the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is engaged, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured such that the diagnostic mode is only accessible through the user interface when the vehicle diagnostic system detects that the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is engaged.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to display active fault codes from at least the vehicle control system in the diagnostic mode.

17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to display error messages and warning messages during the display mode.

18. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to display diagnostic information related only to specific messages pertinent to desired functionality based on the pre-defined headers.

19. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting a signal to force an output from the vehicle control system.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the vehicle control system further comprises an engine controller, a transmission controller, a brake controller, and a primary vehicle controller, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting the signal directly to one of the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller to force the output from the one of the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller.

21. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein the vehicle control system further comprises an engine controller, a transmission controller, a brake controller, and a primary vehicle controller, and wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting the signal to the primary vehicle controller to instruct the primary vehicle controller to force the output from the one of the engine controller, the transmission controller, and the brake controller.

22. A vehicle diagnostic system configured for use with a vehicle comprising a chassis, a plurality of wheels connected to the chassis, a drivetrain connected to the chassis and configured to supply power to one or more of the wheels, the drivetrain comprising an engine and a transmission, a brake system connected to the chassis, a vehicle control system connected to the engine, the transmission, and the brake system and configured to control the engine, the transmission, and the brake system, and a vehicle network connected to the vehicle control system and configured to permit communication between components of the vehicle control system, the vehicle diagnostic system comprising:

a computer-readable memory;

a processor connected to the memory and configured to be connected to the vehicle network; and

a user interface including a display connected to the processor and configured for displaying information and a user input configured to receive input from an operator,

wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured to operate in a diagnostic mode, in which the processor is configured to perform;

monitoring messages from the vehicle control system on the vehicle network;

identifying specific messages from the vehicle control system on the vehicle network that are pertinent to desired functionality;

displaying diagnostic information related to the specific messages, via the display;

receiving an instruction from the operator through the user input, the instruction configured to force an output from at least one of the drivetrain and the brake system; and

transmitting a signal to the vehicle control system, in response to receiving the input, the signal configured to cause the vehicle control system to force the output from the at least one of the drivetrain and the brake system,

wherein the vehicle diagnostic system is configured for transmitting engine control instructions to the engine through the vehicle control system, such that the engine control instructions from the processer to the engine to force the output are only accepted when received from the vehicle control system.

23. The vehicle diagnostic system of claim 22, wherein the brake system of the vehicle comprises a main brake and a parking brake, and wherein the processor of the vehicle diagnostic system is further configured to perform:

continuously monitoring whether the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is engaged, through communication with the vehicle control system;

permitting access to the diagnostic mode by the operator through the user interface when the vehicle is stationary and the parking brake is engaged;

preventing access to the diagnostic mode by the operator through the user interface when the vehicle is not stationary and/or the parking brake is not engaged.

24. The vehicle diagnostic system of claim 22, wherein the processor monitors all messages from the vehicle control system on the vehicle network.

25. The vehicle diagnostic system of claim 22, wherein the vehicle further includes a fuel system, and the vehicle control system is connected to the fuel system and configured to control the fuel system.

26. A computer-assisted method for use in connection with a vehicle comprising a chassis, a plurality of wheels connected to the chassis, a drivetrain connected to the chassis and configured to supply power to one or more of the wheels, the drivetrain comprising an engine and a transmission, a brake system connected to the chassis, a vehicle control system connected to the engine, the transmission, and the brake system and configured to control the engine, the transmission, and the brake system, and a vehicle network connected to the vehicle control system and configured to permit communication between components of the vehicle control system, the vehicle further including a vehicle diagnostic system comprising a computer-readable memory, a processor connected to the memory and configured to be connected to the vehicle network, and a user interface including a display connected to the processor and configured for displaying information and a user input configured to receive input from an operator, the method comprising:

monitoring messages from the vehicle control system on the vehicle network, by the processor;

identifying specific messages from the vehicle control system on the vehicle network that are pertinent to desired functionality, by the processor;

displaying diagnostic information related to the specific messages, via the display;

receiving an instruction from the operator through the user input at the processor, the instruction configured to force an output from at least one of the drivetrain and the brake system; and

transmitting a signal from the processor to the vehicle control system, in response to receiving the input, the signal configured to cause the vehicle control system to force the output from the at least one of the drivetrain and the brake system,

wherein engine control instructions are transmitted to the engine through the vehicle control system, such that the engine control instructions from the processor to the engine to force the output are only accepted when received from the vehicle control system.

27. A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a vehicle diagnostic system to perform the method of claim 26.