Using vehicle data in virtual model for maintenance system support

The problem of monitoring ongoing technical condition of various vehicle subsystems from operational data is a subject matter for many modern armies. Due to the requirements on reliability of military vehicles and its failure-free operation during a mission; it would be advantageous to have a tool that enables a quick diagnostics of vehicles most important components. Present article shows one of the ways to quickly check the state and functionality of an automatic transmission of the LMV Iveco used within Army of the Czech Republic. The basis is a continuous operational data acquisition from the vehicle buses. Evaluation is based on creating a virtual model of the automatic transmission. The model is able to work with operational data and generate output characteristics of a properly functioning subsystem in all the possible operational modes pertaining to the vehicle. This allows to observe and evaluate progressive changes of various vehicle subsystems in operating conditions and prevent a sudden failure. Based on this information, it is possible to provide preemptive maintenance, before a deteriorating state of vehicle subsystems is indicated by common diagnostic tools, or before it shows in worsening vehicle characteristics (low power, imprecise shifting of gears, faulty differential valve switching, etc.).