Vehicle diagnosis method for mobile work machines

p0001The invention relates to a process for vehicle diagnostics with mobile vehicles, especially trucks, using a service computer. In particular, the invention relates to a method for fault diagnosis of mobile machinery by means of a service computer which can be interfaced with a control computer of the mobile work machine and storage means of the mobile work machine, a diagnostic software can run on the service computer.

p0002It is known to the service of mobile equipment to perform a service technician test and diagnostic routines that are run from a service computer of which is connected by means of an interface with a control computer of the mobile machine. It is started after being connected to the control computer of the vehicle, eg by means of an adapter plug and an on-vehicle bus system such as CAN bus, a vehicle type and version compatible test and diagnostic software on the service computer. These test and diagnostic software can now be used for error detection and debugging as a service technician on site.

p0003A disadvantage of this prior art is the need to test and diagnostic software for a variety of mobile machinery to have to provide on the service computer service technician. In addition, it is disadvantageous that the test and diagnostic software also needs to be compatible with different versions of the control software of the mobile work machine, as well as in mobile vehicles of the same type can not be assumed that all devices have the same update degrees with respect to software updates. Due to further developments of the control software of the mobile work machine with an otherwise identical type of mobile work machine the test and diagnostic software may have strong differences. Even with different types of mobile vehicles, the test and diagnostic software is different. Therefore, a service technician must each software version of the machine to know and identify and select appropriate prerequisite software version of the test and diagnostic software. This can lead to errors. To avoid this error, would remain only the possibility that the interface of test and diagnostic software for a particular type of a mobile machine during production time may be changed never. However, this is not desirable, and excludes any innovation and subsequent adaptation to customer needs. On the other hand, the requirement that each the correct software version must be in the service computer available, to the fact that a high degree of organizational effort and / or development effort is required. Thus, according to any development in any type of mobile work machine, an updated version of the diagnostic software on each computer service that must be then yes suitable for a variety of software versions and types of mobile vehicles, be loaded and updated. This results in a significant update and distribution expenses.

p0004The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide a method for fault diagnosis in trucks by a service computer available, in which a simple, cost effective and reliable manner respectively in the appropriate version, the test and diagnostic software is used.

p0005This object is achieved by a process for vehicle diagnostics with mobile vehicles with the features of claim 1 and a mobile machine with the features of claim 14. Advantageous developments are specified in the dependent claims.

p0006This object is achieved in that in a process for vehicle diagnostics with mobile vehicles, especially trucks, using a service computer which can be interfaced with a control computer of the mobile work machine and storage means of the mobile work machine, on the service computer diagnostic software can run by connecting in a first step, the service computer via the interface to the memory means of the mobile working machine. Then a stored in the storage means diagnostic software loaded by the service computer down and started the diagnostic software on the service computer.

p0007Advantageously, therefore, is always to be the type of the mobile work machine as well as the employed on the mobile machine version of the control software exactly matching test and diagnostic software available, since the type- and version-enabled testing and diagnostic software is carried on the work machine. The test and diagnostic software can be limited precisely to the mobile machine and does not have to program parts and functions for other types of mobile equipment or other software versions of the software of the mobile working machine, in particular of the control computer of the mobile working machine, included. This enables a much smaller volume of data in the test and diagnostic software can be achieved. It is advantageous not test and diagnostic software or maintenance software on the service computer service technician needed except a uniform software to address the interface and load the test and diagnostic software from the storage means. The distribution and update or update expense of test and diagnostic software Special software is eliminated. It can not lead to errors in the selection and determination of the required version of the test and diagnostic software. After starting the diagnostic software service computer can connect to the control computer via the interface Selle.

p0008Conveniently embodiment of the invention runs on the service computer, a Web browser application and is the diagnostic software started as a browser application, in particular as a Java program.

p0009Browser applications are regularly available on computers. These concurrent applications are operating system independent, especially as Java programs. As a result, the applicability of the method to a large extent and with many computers can be achieved as a service computers.

p0010Advantageously, the diagnostic software can be stored at or immediately after the manufacture of the mobile work machine in the memory means.

p0011The storage means may be incorporated with the stored diagnostic software in the mobile work machine.

p0012Here is the correct test and diagnostic software established and supplied in a simple manner already by the manufacturer of the mobile machine.

p0013Advantageously, the diagnostic software is installed together with an operating software for the control computer of the mobile work machine in the manufacture of the mobile working machine.

p0014This results in no noticeable overhead in the production of mobile machines, because the operating software and thus the control software must be copied and installed in any case. The time required to save the test and diagnostic software, in contrast, is very low.

p0015In a favorable development of the invention, a further computer via the interface or via the service computer to the storage means or the control computer of the mobile work machine is at least connected.

p0016This multiple access to common diagnosis by the service technician and for example, a development department of the company is possible in case of service. Through a multiple access also updates can be carried out or it can take place, a data exchange with computers with the manufacturer's R & D department within the development.

p0017In one embodiment of the invention, the other computer via a remote data connection is connected.

p0018The remote data connection can be made via the Internet.

p0019Advantageously, this enables an update via a server of the manufacturer of the mobile work machine as other computer and / or data exchange with computers by the manufacturer of the mobile work machine within the development. Here, the mobile machine remain with the maintenance of the site. Use the remote connection, for example, central vehicle updates can be initiated locally by the service technician to enable, for example, current bug fixes and software adjustments to the operating software of the machine directly by the manufacturer.

p0020The remote data connection can be a wireless connection.

p0021This allows maximum flexibility for the place where the maintenance of the mobile work machine can take place.

p0022In a favorable further design a provided by the further computer updated version of the diagnostic software is downloaded.

p0023Advantageously embodiment downloading the updated version of the diagnostic software installation occurs along with an update of the control software of the mobile machine.

p0024By together with the operating software update, and thus the control software of the machine to the extent necessary, a new updated version of the diagnostic software is downloaded and stored in the storage means, it is ensured that always a proper diagnostic software is stored on the machine. After the manufacture of the mobile work machine an adjustment of the diagnostic software is often only required for a change in the control software of the mobile working machine.

p0025Click for maintenance checks and services for the mobile work machine can be stored in the storage means. This allows vehicle-specific maintenance and service information stored on the machine and are provided.

p0026Advantageously, error events and / or carried out maintenance for the mobile work machine in the storage means can be saved. This documentation of maintenance checks and services is made possible directly on the machine

p0027In the memory means implemented measures can also be logged. Unlike paper documents, these are protected against contamination and loss. It is a vehicle history is thus constructed with error lists and maintenance procedures to allow, for example, a statistical evaluation.

p0028The object is also achieved by a mobile machine, in particular an industrial truck, having memory means and an interface through which a control computer of the mobile work machine can be connected to an external service computer, which, together with the external service computer, a method as described previously can be carried out.

p0029The mobile machine has the advantages already set out above.

p0030Further advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiment shown in the schematic figures. This shows<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a schematic representation of the method according to the invention in the manufacture of an industrial truck as an example of a mobile machine, and</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a schematic representation of the vehicle diagnosis the truck of <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref>,</dd></dl>

p0031The <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> shows a schematic representation of the method according to the invention in the manufacture of a formed as a counterbalance forklift truck 1 as an example of a mobile work machine the second

p0032The counterweight fork-lift truck shown comprises a counterweight 3 and a mast 4 with a load fork fifth

p0033In the production of the industrial truck 1, for example, at the end of a production line not shown, the truck 1 is connected to a computer 6 via a data cable or wirelessly 7. A test and diagnostic software is installed with an operating software for a not shown control computer of the truck 1 by the diagnostic software is stored in storage means of the truck. 1 It is thus no appreciable additional expenditure in the production of mobile work machine 2 because the control software must be copied and installed in any case. The time required, in addition to save the diagnostic software, in contrast, is very low.

p0034The <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> shows a schematic diagram of the vehicle diagnostic of the industrial truck 1 <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> as a mobile work machine 2 when the truck 1 is at its place of use and is serviced on site by a service technician. A service computer 7 is connected via a data cable or wirelessly 8 and an interface 9 with the truck 1 and can be connected to the control computer and the storage means of the truck. 1

p0035The service computer 7 may further connected via a mobile telephone 10 and a mobile receiving station 11 as a wireless remote data link 14 and the Internet 12 as a remote data link 15 to a server 13 of the manufacturer as another computer 16th

p0036The service computer 7 is formed, for example, as a notebook.

p0037If a service technician connects to the truck 1 and the storage means on the spot with the service computer 7, so the stored in the memory means diagnostic software via the interface 9 initially charged by the service computer 7 and start the diagnostic software on the service computer. 7 In this case, a uniform software for various types of mobile vehicles 2 are used, the first diagnostic software downloads, or the memory means may be designed such that these can be accessed as an external memory for the service computer 7 via the interface. 9

p0038The diagnostic software is started after downloading the service computer 7 as a browser application in a browser on the service computer 7 and has access to the control computer of the truck 1 via the interface. 9

p0039Also, the diagnostic software stored in the storage means and logged earlier measures taken and stored error messages accessed and saved performed service and maintenance in the storage means.

p0040About the wireless remote data link 14 and the server 13 may be a remote access or a multiple access to a shared service diagnostics carried out, for example, by an employee at the factory.

p0041In addition, can be installed on the control computer of the industrial truck 1, while at the same time also an updated version of the diagnostic software be downloaded, which is stored in the storage means via the remote data connection 14, an updated version of the software. Advantageously, therefore, is always the right diagnostic software available without the service technician must have them with him.