ENGINE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING DIAGNOSTIC DATA IN REAL-TIME

• US 20120041637A1
• Filed: 08/10/2010
• Published: 02/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Allemang, Dale C.
• Application Number:
  US12/853,400
• Publication Number:
  US 20120041637A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/31.5
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers

Abstract

A diagnostic system for a vehicle that provides vehicle operational data during a fault code occurrence is disclosed. The diagnostic system includes an onboard diagnostics system and an engine control module. The onboard diagnostics system is configured for generating vehicle diagnostics codes when the vehicle operates outside predetermined operating parameters. The engine control module is operatively configured to monitor vehicle operational data for a plurality of vehicle subsystems. The onboard diagnostic system is configured to wirelessly transmit a vehicle diagnostic code when the vehicle operates outside of the predetermined operating parameters to a remote data storage location. The vehicle operational data is configured to be wirelessly transmitted from the engine control module to the remote data storage location.

Claims

1. A diagnostic system for a vehicle that provides vehicle operational data during a fault code occurrence, comprising:

an onboard diagnostics system for generating vehicle diagnostics codes when the vehicle operates outside predetermined operating parameters;

an engine control module operatively configured to monitor vehicle operational data for a plurality of vehicle subsystems; and

a remote data storage location;

wherein the onboard diagnostic system is configured to wirelessly transmit a vehicle diagnostic code when the vehicle operates outside of the predetermined operating parameters to the remote data storage location; and

wherein the vehicle operational data is configured to be wirelessly transmitted from the engine control module to the remote data storage location.

2. The diagnostic system of claim 1, further comprising a data link that is operatively connected to the engine control module and wherein the data link is configured to wirelessly transmit the vehicle operational data.

3. The diagnostic system of claim 2, wherein the data link conforms to SAE J1939 or SAE J1587.

4. The diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle operational data is continuously transmitted to the remote data storage location.

5. The diagnostic system of claim 4, wherein the remote data storage location further comprises a buffer for storing the vehicle operational data.

6. The diagnostic system of claim 5, wherein the buffer is configured to store the vehicle operational data for a predetermined time period.

7. The diagnostic system of claim 6, wherein the remote data storage location is configured to generate a log file when the onboard diagnostic system generates a vehicle diagnostic code;

the log file comprising the vehicle diagnostic code and the vehicle operational data stored in the buffer.

8. The diagnostic system of claim 7, wherein the log file contains vehicle operational data for a predetermined time period before the vehicle diagnostic code was generated and for a predetermined time period after the vehicle diagnostic code was generated.

9. The diagnostic system of claim 7, further comprising a telematics system that tracks movement of the vehicle;

wherein the remote data storage location is configured to correlate the log file with the telematics system.

10. A method of capturing data related to a fault code event during vehicle operation, comprising:

collecting vehicle operational data for a plurality of vehicle subsystems;

collecting a vehicle diagnostic code when the vehicle operates outside predetermined operating parameters; and

wirelessly transmitting the vehicle operational data and the vehicle diagnostic code to a remote data storage location.

11. The method of claim 10,

wherein the vehicle operational data occurs in connection with the vehicle moving.

12. The method of claim 10,

wherein the vehicle operational data is continuously transmitted to the remote data storage location.

13. The method of claim 12,

wherein the vehicle operational data is continuously transmitted to a buffer in the remote data storage location, wherein said buffer stores the vehicle operational data for a predetermined time period.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising generating a log file when a vehicle diagnostic code is generated;

the log file comprising the vehicle diagnostic code and the vehicle operational data stored in the buffer.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising reviewing the log file and preparing a repair plan for the vehicle.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising remotely determining the location of the vehicle and identifying a suitable repair facility for performing necessary repairs.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting the repair plan to the identified repair facility.