Module and method for initializing and calibrating a product during its manufacture

Abstract

The present invention relates to a module (300) for initializing and calibrating a product (100) during the manufacture of the product (100) in a manufacturing environment (200), wherein the module (300) can be arranged on the product (100), and wherein the module (300) has a first interface (118) for wireless data transmission between the module (300) and the manufacturing environment (200), a second interface (122) for establishing a data connection between the module (300) and the product (100), an electrical energy source (120) and a data processing unit (116). The module (300) is designed to: supply energy to a product (100) at least temporarily via an energy source (120); establish a data connection with the product (100) via a second interface (122); perform a test and / or calibration routine on the product (100) via the second interface (122), wherein the data processing unit (116) generates test and / or calibration data during the execution of the test and / or calibration routine; and transmit the test and / or calibration data to a manufacturing environment (200) via a first interface (118).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a module for initializing and calibrating a product during its manufacture, a method for initializing a product during its manufacture, and the use of a module for initializing a brake module during its manufacture. Background Art

[0002] In a known manufacturing environment (e.g. a production line for brake modules etc.), unfinished products are usually transferred from one manufacturing station to the next. In this case, each of these manufacturing stations usually performs one of the following processes:

[0003] - Adding parts or features to a product (e.g., using mechanical processes, calibration routines, etc.)

[0004] -Test the product to see if previously added components and / or features have been successfully added and are functioning properly.

[0005] During the final assembly of a mechatronic system (e.g. a brake module), manufacturing stations used at the end of the manufacturing process (EOL, End Of Line) are used as an energy source and communicate with the product. The purpose of these stations is to trigger the product's functions and check if it works as expected, or to calibrate the product and its functions.

[0006] In this case, conveying and transferring products from one manufacturing station to the next is complex and time-consuming. Summary of the invention

[0007] The invention is based on the object of providing a possibility of increasing the efficiency of a production process.

[0008] This object is achieved by the following module for initializing a product and the following method for initializing a product.

[0009] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a module for initializing a product during its manufacture in a manufacturing environment, wherein the module can be arranged on the product. In this case, the module has a first interface for wireless data transmission between the module and the manufacturing environment, a second interface for establishing a data connection between the module and the product, an electrical energy source, and a data processing unit. In this case, the module is designed to: supply energy to the product at least temporarily via the energy source; establish a data connection with the product via the second interface; perform a test and / or calibration routine on the product via the second interface, wherein the data processing unit generates test and / or calibration data during the execution of the test and / or calibration routine; and transmit the test and / or calibration data to the manufacturing environment via the first interface.

[0010] The core concept of the invention is to provide a module that can already be arranged on the product during its manufacture and that, due to its design, is suitable for performing specific functions that can usually only be performed at a manufacturing or testing station while the product is being transported from one station to the next. As a result, the transport time between stations is already effectively used for specific tasks, which then no longer need to be performed at the station, thereby reducing the dwell time at the station. Overall, this increases the efficiency of the product manufacturing process.

[0011] In this case, the fact that the module can be arranged on the product means that the module is a separate element that can be fixed to the product and thus accompany the product through the manufacturing environment. Likewise, the module can also be removed from the product again after the manufacturing process is completed, ideally without leaving any residues.

[0012] The first interface of the module may be, for example, a WLAN interface via which the module can communicate with the manufacturing environment. The communication preferably takes place between the module and a central control unit controlling the manufacturing environment. In this case, the central control unit does not necessarily have to be a fixed computer or server within the manufacturing environment. Instead, provision may also be made for the module to communicate via a network with a non-localized control unit, in particular with a control logic implemented in the cloud. This makes it possible to track the path and the state or condition of the product within the manufacturing environment at any time and to influence further manufacturing processes at the same time.

[0013] Furthermore, it can also be provided that the module communicates directly with the individual manufacturing stations within the manufacturing environment. However, in addition to a WLAN connection between the module and the manufacturing environment, any other wireless data transmission method can also be envisaged, such as Bluetooth. Furthermore, it can also be provided that a wired communication between the module and the manufacturing environment is provided, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0014] In the communication between the module and the manufacturing environment, the module can preferably be uniquely identified by the manufacturing environment at any time. For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, that the module is assigned a globally unique identifier (GUID), which the module also transmits during wireless communication with the manufacturing environment. Since the module is fixedly assigned to the product, in this case each product can be uniquely identified at any time during the manufacturing process.

[0015] The module's electrical energy source is preferably a battery, the capacity of which is sufficient to perform simple functions of the product, which are necessary to carry out the product's testing and / or calibration routines.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the module is here designed for configuring a software function of the product after the data connection has been established.The software function of the product may for example be a function whose effect is defined by specifying certain operating parameters and boundary conditions.

[0017] For example, the software functions of a product can be different here for different product series. In particular, the software functions of a product can be customized according to the requirements of the respective end consumer. In this case, by using modules, the individual products can be initialized individually without changing the manufacturing environment, and thus customized according to the requirements of the respective end consumer.

[0018] The product is preferably a brake module, in particular an electrohydraulic control and regulation unit for a brake system. In this case, the software function of this brake module may be an anti-lock brake control function that can be customized according to the requirements of the customer by specifying specific control parameters. Configuring such a software function would then include, for example, defining the corresponding control parameters.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, it is also provided that the product is supplied with energy via the second interface. In this case, the second interface is therefore used both to establish a data connection with the product and to transmit electrical energy. The second interface thus has a dual function here, making the overall interface design between the product and the module more compact.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, a safe and easy-to-operate fixation of the module to the product is achieved by the module having a retainer, wherein the module can be fixed to the product by the retainer. For example, the retainer can be an interface in which the module is retained by a form-fitting connection or a friction connection. For example, the retainer can be designed in the form of a bayonet connection, a clip connection or a retaining rail. In this case, the retainer is preferably designed so that it is not necessary to provide an element individually customized for the retainer on the product. Instead, it is intended that the retainer interacts with the product geometry already present on the product in a desired manner.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided in this case that the retainer is part of the second interface. In this case, arranging the module on the product via the retainer will also automatically connect the second interface to the product. This simplifies the process of connecting the module to the product.

[0022] A further preferred embodiment of the module is that the module has a third interface for establishing a wired connection between the module and the manufacturing environment, wherein the third interface is designed for transmitting electrical energy between the manufacturing environment and the module. In this case, a "wired connection" is understood to mean any type of material connection, wherein the module is in physical contact with the manufacturing environment or a part of the manufacturing environment via the connection. In this case, it is not absolute to provide a cable in the actual sense between the module and the manufacturing environment. On the contrary, a "wired connection" can also be a connection that is already established when a first contact surface of the module is in contact with a second contact surface of the manufacturing environment.

[0023] In this case, the third interface can be adapted to a connector type or standard predefined by the manufacturing environment. This means that the module acts as an adapter between the product and the manufacturing environment, so that the connection on the product does not have to be adapted to the manufacturing environment. Instead, it is sufficient if the connection present on the module with the third interface matches the manufacturing environment. By means of the third interface, in this case, energy is transmitted from the manufacturing environment, in particular the manufacturing station, via the module to the product, making it possible to carry out energy-intensive calibration and test routines on the product after connection to the manufacturing environment.

[0024] Except transmitting electric energy via the third interface, according to further embodiment, provision is made to transmit data preferably in real time via the third interface between module and manufacturing environment.In this case, when setting up connection via the third interface, the data transmission carried out via the second interface can be omitted or carried out in parallel.

[0025] In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for initializing a product during its manufacture in a manufacturing environment by means of a module as already described above. In this case, the method has the following steps:

[0026] - Arrangement of the module on the product during its manufacture,

[0027] - Activate the module through the manufacturing environment,

[0028] - establishing a data connection between the module and the product via the second interface of the module,

[0029] - performing a test and / or calibration routine on the product via the second interface of the module, wherein the data processing unit generates test and / or calibration data during the execution of the test and / or calibration routine, and

[0030] - Transmitting the test and / or calibration data to the manufacturing environment via the first interface.

[0031] In order to activate the module, a corresponding activation command can be transmitted to the module, for example, from the production environment via the first interface of the module.

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, it is provided in this case that the module is arranged on the product by the manufacturing environment during a manufacturing step of the product. For example, it can be provided in this case that the module is arranged on the product together with the component during the installation of a specific component of the product. Thus, no separate production step is required for arranging the module on the product.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, in this case a great flexibility of the method is achieved by transmitting the test and / or calibration routine to be performed by the manufacturing environment to the module.

[0034] As already described above, the configuration and testing of the product can therefore be customized according to the specific requirements of the consumer during product manufacturing without having to adjust the product itself. In addition, in this way, the test routine or calibration routine used can also be dynamically adjusted when necessary during the manufacturing process.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, it is provided in this case that the transmitted test and / or calibration routine depends on previously transmitted test and / or calibration data. Thus, it is possible to flexibly respond to results already obtained in previous tests and calibrations of the product.

[0036] According to a further embodiment, it is further provided that the manufacturing environment has at least one test station, wherein the method further comprises establishing a wired connection between the test station and the module via a third interface of the module, wherein after the wired connection has been established, the product is supplied with electrical energy by the test station. In this case, as an alternative or in addition to the supply of electrical energy by the test station, it can also be provided that data is transmitted via the third interface of the module, preferably in real time, if a corresponding connection to the manufacturing station is established.

[0037] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a module as described above for initializing a brake module, in particular an electrohydraulic control and regulating unit of a brake system, during the manufacture of the brake module. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0039] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the communication between a product, a manufacturing station and a corresponding manufacturing environment,

[0040] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the module,

[0041] Figure 3 A schematic diagram showing a manufacturing environment, and

[0042] Figure 4 A schematic diagram showing the interaction between products, modules and the manufacturing environment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] In the following, similar or identical features are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0044] Figure 1 a) schematically shows a product 100 connected to such an EOL station 102. For this purpose, the EOL station 102 has the following interfaces / connections to the product 100:

[0045] - Communication interface 104 between EOL station 102 and product 100

[0046] -Energy supply 106

[0047] - Ground 108

[0048] The control commands are transmitted to the product software 110 by the product's electronic control unit 112 via the communication interface 104 of the EOL station 102. The functions thus triggered by the software can be purely electronic functions (e.g., switching an electronic component on and off), or mechanical functions (e.g., actuating an actuator such as a valve) and implemented by a corresponding mechanical control unit 114.

[0049] In this case, product 100 must typically be manufactured in manufacturing environment 200 (e.g., by Figure 1 b) from one manufacturing station 102' to the next manufacturing station 102". During these transport times, the product does not add any value, which means that the transport time is still not used for the manufacturing process itself. These transport times are, for example, Figure 1 b) is indicated by t1, t2 and t3 in the EOL station 102. Furthermore, when the product 100 arrives at the EOL station 102, further steps must be performed before the process steps specified at the EOL station 102 during the manufacturing process of the product 100 can be performed on the product. Therefore, the product 100 must be connected to the corresponding interface of the EOL station 102, for which purpose the product 102 must be moved to the corresponding position of the EOL station 102. The electronic control unit 112 of the product 100 is then activated by the electrical signal from the EOL station 102. Then, the product 100 and in particular its software functions 110 must be initialized, for example by initializing corresponding software variables. Furthermore, further internal calibration and preparation must be performed before the product 100 can actually be operated.

[0050] Likewise, a series of steps must typically be performed when the product 100 leaves a manufacturing station or EOL station 102. For example, the product data must be verified (verification of error and calibration data) and the product must be safely closed and mechanically separated from the EOL station 102 before the product 100 can leave the station 102.

[0051] All these process steps require additional time, which cannot be used for other manufacturing steps. Therefore, the manufacturing process is inefficient. By using the module 300 according to the present invention as described below, it is possible to overcome the disadvantages caused by the time not being used optimally.

[0052] Figure 2A schematic diagram of the module 300 is shown in the form of a block diagram. In this case, the module 300 firstly has a data processing unit 116, which has, for example, a motherboard on which a processor core, a working memory, further storage media and a data bus are arranged. In addition, a WLAN module (Wi-Fi module) 118 is provided as a first interface, which enables communication between the module 300 and the manufacturing environment 200. Figure 3 This manufacturing environment 200 is explained in more detail.

[0053] In order to operate the module 300 and supply electrical energy to the products 100 connected to the module 300, the module 300 also has an energy source 120 in the form of a battery. In this case, the battery can in principle be any type of battery having a voltage sufficient to operate the module 300 and supply electrical energy to the products 100. However, in addition to batteries, in principle any other type of electrical energy supply device can also be provided as the energy source 120 in the module 300.

[0054] As already explained above, the module 300 is preferably designed for communicating with the product 100 (on which the module is arranged) on the one hand, and with the manufacturing station (test station) 102 within the manufacturing environment on the other hand. For this purpose, the module 300 has a second interface 122, via which the module 300 can communicate with the product 100, preferably in a wired manner. In this case, the second interface 122 can be implemented in the form of a (plug) connector customized according to customer requirements. At the same time, the module 300 has a third interface 124, via which the module 300 can be connected to the manufacturing station (EOL station) 102 in the manufacturing environment 200, preferably in a wired manner. In this case, the third interface 124 can use a connection standard predefined by the manufacturing environment 200. In this case, the module 300 effectively acts as an adapter between the product 100 and the manufacturing environment 200, so that the connection standards and connector types of the product 100 and the manufacturing environment 200 can in principle be selected independently of each other.

[0055] Refer to the following Figure 3 2 to describe a manufacturing environment 200 in which a product 100 is manufactured or processed and a module 300 is arranged on the product 100. For simplicity, the product 100 and the module 300 are considered as a common object below.

[0056] Figure 3 The illustrated manufacturing environment 200 essentially has a conveyor line (eg, a conveyor belt) that transports products 300 from one manufacturing station 202 to the next manufacturing station 202' during the manufacturing process. Figure 3The illustration also schematically shows a cloud-based controller 204 of the manufacturing environment 200. In this case, the controller 204 is designed to control the individual manufacturing stations 202 by wirelessly transmitting corresponding control commands. Conversely, the manufacturing stations 202 are designed to transmit information (e.g., information obtained by performing a test routine on the product 100) to the controller 204 when necessary, so that this information can be taken into account when further controlling the manufacturing process.

[0057] like Figure 3 As further schematically shown in FIG. 3 , the product 100 can also communicate wirelessly directly with the manufacturing environment 200 or a controller 204 of the manufacturing environment 200 via the module 300. In this case, information about the current status of the product 100 or previously determined test and calibration data of the product 100 can be transmitted to the controller 204. Conversely, information about the next manufacturing step, method steps to be performed, etc. can likewise be transmitted wirelessly from the controller 204 to the product 100.

[0058] In addition to the wireless communication between the product 100 and the controller 204 of the manufacturing environment 200, provision is made for the product 100 to be able to communicate directly in a wired manner with the manufacturing station 202 of the manufacturing environment 200 once it has been transported to the manufacturing station 202 and connected thereto. In this case, the power supply to the product 100 is ensured by the manufacturing station 202 itself, making it possible to also carry out testing and calibration routines that increase energy consumption.

[0059] In this case, each product 100 is preferably uniquely identifiable at any time by the manufacturing environment 200 or its controller 204 based on an identifier (eg, a GUID) assigned to the connected module 300 .

[0060] Refer to the following Figure 4 On the one hand, the communication between the product 100 and the manufacturing environment 200 via the module 300 is described. Figure 4 a)), on the other hand, describes the communication between the product 100 and the manufacturing station 202 via the module 300 ( Figure 4 b)).

[0061] like Figure 4 The communication between the product 100 and the module 300 shown in a) functions similarly to that described at the beginning with reference to Figure 1a) between the module and the manufacturing station 202 as described above. In this case as well, the product 100 essentially has an electronic control unit 112 and a mechanical control unit 114, wherein the product software 110 is shown as part of the electronic control unit 112. In this case, the product 100 is designed to establish a connection to the module 300 via the electronic control unit 112, rather than to the manufacturing station 102. For this purpose, a communication interface 104, an energy supply 106 and a grounding 108 are essentially established between the product 100 and the module 300.

[0062] The actual communication of the product 100 itself with the manufacturing environment 200 or with the controller 204 of the manufacturing environment 200 then takes place indirectly via a module 300 designed for wireless communication with the manufacturing environment 200 and, if necessary, also with the manufacturing station 202 of the manufacturing environment. In this case, communication with the manufacturing station 202 is preferably only required when energy-intensive testing and calibration processes are to be carried out on the product 100.

[0063] In this case, in addition to the wireless communication between the module 300 and the manufacturing station 202, a wired connection between the module 300 and the manufacturing station 202 is also provided. Via this wired connection, for example, the energy required for carrying out the process can be provided by the manufacturing station 202. Figure 4 b) to describe this connection.

[0064] Figure 4 b) shows how the product 100 is connected to the manufacturing station 202 via the module 300. In this case, the connection between the product 100 and the module 300 is made via the second interface 122 of the module 300. In this case, the interface (connector type) used can be customized according to the requirements of the consumer for the product 100. Therefore, ideally, the same connector type can be used for this second interface 122 as the connector type specified by the consumer for contacting the product 100 during subsequent use of the product. The connection between the module 300 and the manufacturing station 202 is made via the third interface 124 of the module 300, which is substantially independent of the second interface 122. In this case, the connector type predefined by the manufacturing environment 200 or the manufacturing station 202 can therefore be used. Therefore, the module 300 acts as an adapter between the manufacturing environment 200 (manufacturing station 202) and the product 100, making it possible to select the connection type of the product 100 independently of the connection type of the manufacturing environment. It is no longer necessary to switch between the connection types separately.

Claims

1. A module (300) for initializing and calibrating a product (100) during manufacture of the product (100) in a manufacturing environment (200), wherein: The module (300) can be arranged on a product (100), wherein the module (300) comprises: - a first interface (118) for wireless data transmission between the module (300) and the manufacturing environment (200), - a second interface (122) for establishing a data connection between the module (300) and the product (100), - electrical energy (120), - a data processing unit (116), The module (300) is designed to: - supplying the product (100) with energy at least temporarily by means of an electrical energy source (120), - establishing a data connection with the product (100) via the second interface (122), - performing a test and / or calibration routine on the product (100) via the second interface (122), wherein the data processing unit (116) generates test and / or calibration data during the execution of the test and / or calibration routine, and - transmitting the test and / or calibration data to the manufacturing environment (200) via the first interface (118).

2. The module (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that The module (300) is designed to configure the software functions of the product (100) after the data connection has been established.

3. The module (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The product (100) is supplied with energy via the second interface (122).

4. The module (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The module (300) has a holder, wherein the module (300) can be fixed to the product (100) via the holder.

5. The module (300) according to claim 4, characterized in that The retainer is part of the second interface (122).

6. The module (300) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The module (300) has a third interface (124) for establishing a wired connection between the module (300) and a manufacturing environment (200), wherein the third interface (124) is designed to transmit electrical energy between the manufacturing environment and the module (300).

7. A method for initializing a product (100) during the manufacture of the product (100) in a manufacturing environment (200) by means of a module (300) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, the method comprising the following steps: - arranging the module (300) on the product (100) during its manufacture, - activating the module (300) via the manufacturing environment (200), - establishing a data connection between the module (300) and the product (100) via a second interface of the module (300), - performing a testing and / or calibration routine on the product (100) via the second interface (122) of the module (300), wherein The data processing unit (116) generates test and / or calibration data during execution of the test and / or calibration routines, and - transmitting the test and / or calibration data to the manufacturing environment (200) via the first interface (118).

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The module (300) is arranged on the product (100) by the manufacturing environment (200) during a manufacturing step of the product (100).

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The test and / or calibration routine to be performed is transmitted to the module (300) by the manufacturing environment (200).

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The transmitted test and / or calibration routine depends on previously transmitted test and / or calibration data.

11. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that The manufacturing environment (200) has at least one test station (202), wherein the method further comprises establishing a wired connection between the test station (202) and the module (300) via a third interface of the module (300), wherein after the wired connection has been established, the test station (202) supplies electrical energy to the product (100).

12. Use of a module (300) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6 for initializing a brake module during its manufacture.

13. The use according to claim 12, wherein the brake module is an electrohydraulic control and regulation unit of a brake system.

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