Device for testing vehicles or for evaluating perturbations and/or failures of vehicle functions

p0001The invention relates to a device for carrying out a test vehicle and vehicle for the treatment of errors. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for evaluating error messages on vehicle.

p0002Vehicle control systems are known from the prior art, in particular in the field of racing, including Formula 1, which make a permanent control of vehicle functions while driving. During a race is in this case transmitted by radio from the sensors a signal to a central evaluation PC in which then, in turn, the drivability, the vehicle characteristics and the functionality of the parts of the vehicle is checked.

p0003Furthermore, systems are known from the prior art that make a so-called vehicle check within a workshop. In this case, a special system is connected by means of cable to a vehicle, and an inspection system checks different vehicle functions. Using this system, a vehicle owner must drive his vehicle to a repair shop. This in turn means that the vehicle is not available for private use at this time, and that various delays occur. Furthermore, it can not determine how the vehicle behavior in the high-load driving conditions, such as on the highway at 180 km / h.

p0004Accordingly, the object of the present invention to provide a device that allows a vehicle or a test vehicle treatment of errors at any time, also during a driving operation, and which avoids the preceding disadvantages.

p0005The object is solved by the teaching of claim 1 and by the teaching of Patentantspruchs. 2

p0006In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. The following figures show:<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>Schematic diagram of the invention according to claim 1,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>schematic representation of the invention according to claim 2nd</dd></dl>

p0007In the following the apparatus is explained in detail according to claim 1 with reference to FIG. 1.

p0008In a vehicle P sensors S are attached to the identification of problems of vehicle functions or failures of vehicle parts. The sensors S filters during a driving operation, but also during a Hibernation whether arising on vehicle parts or the performance of vehicle functions malfunction or failure. The data thus obtained are evaluated as fault messages or failure messages of means PC for processing or evaluation. Furthermore, the device consists of a mobile part of T to transmit the processed or evaluated fault messages or failure messages. This mobile part T, for example, a mobile phone, sends over a cellular network, the fault messages or failure messages to an evaluation A. The mobile part T but on the other hand also control information or messages for troubleshooting or precipitation received. Further information about T present vehicle fault can receive this mobile part and be displayed.

p0009The following is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2, the apparatus for evaluating reports of vehicle failure.

p0010The apparatus A for evaluation of messages has receiving means for receiving the E transmitted over a cellular network fault reports of vehicle functions or failure messages of vehicle parts. Furthermore, the device A is for evaluation, with funds from 2 to evaluate the error messages or failure messages. The evaluation means 2 may for example be a microprocessor with a memory. Another means, transmitting means 3 for transmitting control information to correct the interference or outages, or to send messages to warn or to provide information on existing malfunction or failure is also located in the device for evaluation. About This means 3 the information or messages previously mentioned are sent to the vehicle.

p0011The following is shown (without drawing), as the device for conducting vehicle tests and apparatus for evaluating reports of vehicle fault communicate and how they work together. A vehicle such as a car, is equipped with the apparatus for carrying out a test vehicle and vehicle for the treatment of errors. Sensors S for detecting faults or failures are mounted anywhere in the vehicle. The number of sensors can here vary between one and a plurality of sensors, according to the desired verification options. Now as the situation arises that the car would be brought to its regular inspection in a workshop. The owner of the car's but for example, no time to let carry out a test in a workshop; or the case could be given as a further application of this device is that this test should be carried out when the car is in operation, ie driving. This can be advantageous because thereby, for example, the temperature behavior, the driving behavior and thus also the function of the parts during this driving behavior to be checked.

p0012The user of the car's now wishes to carry out a test vehicle at its car and provides by the mobile portion T connect to a workshop here. This radio part may be a mobile telephone, preferably, via which a connection to another mobile radio telephone or a data processing device with a telephone function, is manufactured in a workshop. In a further step is now shown that the recorded signals from the sensors are sent to a workshop. Another embodiment of this scenario, it may be that the sensor signals are already processed inside the vehicle by means of an agent for treating or evaluating detected by the sensors fault messages or failure messages. Accordingly, the already processed data is sent to the workshop.

p0013In the workshop, the apparatus A for the evaluation of information relating to vehicle fault is. This device is able to receive the signals, which are sent over the wireless network of a mobile subscriber from the car. Here there are two possibilities, either the signals that the sensors added S to receive directly, or already processed or evaluated signals, take over the central PC for processing and evaluation of over sensors detected fault messages or failure messages. In the workshop are located within this apparatus further comprises means 2 for evaluating the error messages or the failure messages. The evaluated fault messages or failure messages are checked for example by a known diagnostic method to determine whether a direct remedy is possible, or whether it is necessary that the car heads towards the workshop.

p0014The apparatus further has transmitting means 3 for transmitting information over a cellular network. In the event that a direct rectification of the fault or failure is possible, now a signal is sent to the other device for performing a vehicle testing and treatment of vehicle defects, so that the failure or malfunction is resolved directly. It is also possible to send only one message to alert the owner of the car's to show him that he has to go to a workshop or to adopt any of the vehicle owner, or to give an information about the fact that faults and failures are already present.

p0015Another embodiment of the invention, it may be that in the vehicle are sensors in the event of an accident signals via the central PC for preparing or evaluating automatically, for example, route a police station.