Method and system for maintaining a vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for maintaining a vehicle (1). To improve the maintenance of the vehicle, requirement information, which represents a maintenance requirement for the vehicle (1), is determined (C1) in the method. Furthermore, resource information, which represents a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility (7), is determined. The maintenance facility (7), which is suitable for the maintenance, is determined (C5) depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Method and system for maintaining a vehicle

[0003] Regardless of the grammatical gender of a particular term, persons with male, female or other gender identity are included.

[0004] The invention relates to a method and system for maintaining a vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for safely operating a vehicle, a computer-implemented switching method, a computer-implemented platform, a computer program, and a device for providing the computer program.

[0005] In principle, procedures for vehicle maintenance are known. For example, when maintenance is required, a request is made to a workshop to see if it can perform the service. This request is made, for example, via email, telephone, or a submitted form.

[0006] Against this background, the object of the invention is to improve the maintenance of vehicles.

[0007] The problem is solved by a method for maintaining a vehicle. In the method, requirement information representing a maintenance requirement for the vehicle is determined. Resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility is determined. The maintenance facility suitable for maintenance is determined based on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0008] The invention is based on the realization that the planning and implementation of maintenance services in previous solutions is made more difficult by many different interfaces, different processes and requirements based on a large number and variety of vehicles and vehicle series.

[0009] The method according to the invention eliminates these problems by determining the maintenance facility that is suitable for maintenance. In doing so, the requirement information and the resource information are taken into account. In this way, the determination of a suitable maintenance facility can be at least partially automated. This can form the basis for a holistic approach to vehicle maintenance. The entire maintenance process can be digitized by the solution according to the invention. The overall process and its interfaces can be viewed as an interacting system. In addition, a cockpit function and hub function can be realized by the solution according to the invention. Different maintenance planning systems and maintenance control systems can be standardized and connected.For this purpose, an API (Application Programming Interface) solution can be implemented for different participants. The inventive solution can serve as the basis for a platform solution that brings together different stakeholders within an ecosystem. This enables a sustainable increase in efficiency for all participants.

[0010] The method according to the invention is preferably a computer-implemented maintenance method. The method according to the invention is preferably a method for planning and coordinating the maintenance of a vehicle.

[0011] Maintenance can be preventive or corrective. The term "maintenance" is understood by experts to mean one or more of the following technical measures: an inspection, a service, a repair, a modification, etc. The maintenance requirement is determined, for example, from the vehicle's previously recorded operating profile. In particular, a forecast is made of when the maintenance requirement will be due.

[0012] The requirement information includes, for example, a continuous value that represents a wear parameter for a given component of the vehicle. Alternatively or additionally, the requirement information includes a discrete value that indicates whether maintenance is necessary and / or the maintenance deadline.

[0013] The maintenance facility is, for example, a stationary maintenance facility, for example, as part of a workshop or depot. The stationary maintenance facility is, for example, located on a route accessible to the vehicle and is accessible to the vehicle via this route. Alternatively or additionally, the maintenance facility can be a mobile maintenance facility.

[0014] The maintenance resource includes, for example, the free capacity of the maintenance facility for maintenance. This free capacity includes, for example, free personnel who can perform maintenance, energy resources for maintenance, material resources for maintenance, etc.

[0015] The wording according to which "the maintenance facility which is suitable for maintenance is determined" is preferably understood by a person skilled in the art to mean that in one step it is determined which maintenance facility is suitable for the maintenance requirements of the vehicle. In a subsequent step the maintenance facility is preferably assigned to the vehicle for maintenance. Alternatively or additionally the maintenance facility is suggested, displayed and / or made available for selection as a suitable maintenance facility. The selection is preferably made by means of a maintenance planning system. The maintenance planning system can carry out the selection automatically. Alternatively or additionally the maintenance planning system has a human-machine interface via which a person can carry out the selection.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the requirement information is determined for at least one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in a vehicle fleet. The resource information is determined for a plurality of maintenance facilities. At least one maintenance facility of the plurality of maintenance facilities that is suitable for maintenance is determined depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0017] This embodiment relates to the case where at least one vehicle, preferably a single vehicle, has multiple maintenance facilities available. Preferably, a maintenance facility suitable for maintenance is determined. The requirement information for the vehicle and the multiple respective resource information items for the respective maintenance facility are taken into account.

[0018] In other words , one or more maintenance facilities suitable for maintenance are selected to maintain the vehicle .

[0019] Several measures may be necessary for one maintenance requirement. Each measure can in turn contain several work orders. For example, the measure "brake maintenance" can contain several work orders, such as checking the brake, replacing brake parts, etc. In other words: a measure is a package of work orders. In a preferred development, the at least one maintenance facility that is suitable for maintenance is determined depending on a prioritization. The maintenance facility that is suitable for maintenance is preferably assigned to the vehicle depending on the prioritization.

[0020] Prioritization, for example, leads to a suggested order for the maintenance of the majority of vehicles. This creates a plan for the maintenance of the majority of vehicles.

[0021] Preferably, the prioritization may include a prioritization of the maintenance facilities, according to which one maintenance facility has a higher priority than a second maintenance facility when selecting the appropriate maintenance facility. This is possible, for example, if several suitable maintenance facilities are identified. Furthermore, the prioritization preferably leads to a sequence of maintenance facilities that carry out corresponding maintenance measures one after the other.

[0022] Furthermore, the prioritization can preferably be a prioritization of the measures. Furthermore, the prioritization can preferably be a prioritization of the work orders.

[0023] When prioritizing maintenance, for example, timetable information and / or route information representing a route to be traveled by the vehicle is taken into account. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferably taken into account whether the vehicle is a vehicle for transporting people in public transport. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferably taken into account whether the vehicle is a vehicle for transporting people in high-speed transport or in local and regional transport. In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, location information representing a location of the maintenance facility is provided, and vehicle location information representing a location of the vehicle is provided.The maintenance facility suitable for maintenance is determined depending on the location information and the vehicle location information.

[0024] In this way, for example, a distance between the vehicle and a respective maintenance facility can be determined.

[0025] The vehicle location information preferably represents a route position of the vehicle, i.e., a position on a route of the vehicle where the vehicle is located. Accordingly, the distance of the vehicle from the maintenance facility can be determined using a suitable route. For example, the maintenance facility with the shortest distance and / or the shortest distance to the vehicle can be determined as a suitable maintenance facility.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, cost information for the maintenance facility is determined. This cost information represents the costs that are to be expected for the maintenance of the vehicle by the maintenance facility. The maintenance facility suitable for the maintenance is determined based on the cost information.

[0027] In this way, the expected maintenance costs can be taken into account when determining the appropriate maintenance facility. For example, the maintenance facility that incurs the lowest maintenance costs will be given priority when determining the appropriate maintenance facility. In addition to the costs for the maintenance measures (and work steps) themselves, these costs preferably include costs for the vehicle's travel to the maintenance facility and / or the travel of the maintenance facility to the vehicle.

[0028] Preferably, cost information representing costs to be expected for the maintenance of the vehicle by at least one of the plurality of maintenance facilities is determined for each of the plurality of maintenance facilities. Further preferably, at least one maintenance facility of the plurality of maintenance facilities that is suitable for maintenance is determined depending on the cost information.

[0029] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the resource information represents

[0030] - a qualification of the maintenance facility for the maintenance of the vehicle,

[0031] - a certification of the maintenance facility for the maintenance of the vehicle,

[0032] - free capacity of the maintenance facility,

[0033] - equipment for the maintenance facility,

[0034] - an infrastructure of the maintenance facility,

[0035] - a quantity of a material to be used for maintenance which is available at the maintenance facility,

[0036] - an amount of energy required for maintenance that is available to the maintenance facility, and / or

[0037] - a capacity utilization of the maintenance facility.

[0038] The qualification is, for example, a qualification according to a standard specified by the vehicle operator. The certification of the maintenance facility is preferably a certification as an EMC (Entity in Charge of Maintenance) according to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019 / 779 of June 16, 2019.

[0039] The free capacity includes, for example, free personnel who can carry out maintenance, free energy resources for maintenance, free material resources for maintenance, etc.

[0040] The equipment of the maintenance facility includes, for example, tools, machines, transport racks, transport trolleys, lifting platforms, assembly trolleys, storage cabinets and other means that must be available to carry out the necessary maintenance measures.

[0041] The infrastructure of the maintenance facility concerns, for example, features such as the number of spaces for parking vehicles, the number of work pits from which maintenance measures can be carried out below the vehicle, or other infrastructural features of the maintenance facility.

[0042] The quantity of material used for maintenance concerns, for example, the quantity of available spare parts, replacement panels, lubricants, etc. The quantity of material to be used for maintenance can be represented as the fill level of a container for the material.

[0043] At least some of the aspects of the resource information described above are preferably specified correspondingly by the requirement information. Thus, the requirement information can already indicate that a specified quantity of a material or a specified equipment of the maintenance facility is required for the maintenance requirement. In other words: the maintenance facility that meets the specifications derived from the requirement information is determined to be suitable. Whether the maintenance facility meets the specification can be checked based on the resource information.

[0044] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the vehicle is a track-bound vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

[0045] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for use with rail-bound vehicles because rail-bound vehicles are not capable of moving freely in space. Therefore, it is particularly advantageous for rail-bound vehicles to identify a suitable maintenance facility.

[0046] When determining the appropriate maintenance facility, the route covered by the rail-bound vehicle is preferably taken into account. In other words, the rail-bound vehicle itself can only reach those maintenance facilities that are accessible via the vehicle's route. Otherwise, the rail-bound vehicle would have to be transported.

[0047] The rail vehicle is, for example, a locomotive. Alternatively, the rail vehicle is, for example, a multiple unit.

[0048] The maintenance facility is, for example, a mobile maintenance facility that is designed to move toward the vehicle or even to the vehicle. A mobile service technician (a so-called field service engineer) is assigned to this mobile maintenance facility.

[0049] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the maintenance facility comprises a workshop facility to which the assigned vehicle moves in ferry operation and at which the maintenance is carried out.

[0050] The workshop facility is, for example, a workshop that is located on or along the route the vehicle can travel.

[0051] According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the requirement information is determined by means of a maintenance planning system.

[0052] This is a particularly expedient embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0053] The maintenance planning system is preferably a computer-implemented maintenance planning system, often referred to in English as a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

[0054] Furthermore, the resource information is preferably determined using the maintenance planning system. This determination is preferably based on information provided by the one or more maintenance facilities.

[0055] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, a current operating state of the vehicle is taken into account when determining the requirement information.

[0056] In this way, for example, the current condition of the vehicle is taken into account when planning maintenance. For example, a mobile maintenance facility is more likely to be considered as a suitable maintenance facility for a broken-down vehicle, particularly if transporting the vehicle involves a high level of effort and / or expense. According to a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the requirement information comprises the subject of maintenance. In other words, the requirement information specifies, for example, what is being serviced and / or how this should be done.

[0057] The term "object of maintenance" should preferably be understood to mean that the object to be maintained is specified by the requirement information. The object can be the vehicle itself, a component of the vehicle, software running on the vehicle, etc.

[0058] For example, the vehicle component is the brake or the vehicle's braking system. For example, the demand information indicates that the vehicle's brakes need to be serviced.

[0059] Using this information, in comparison with the resource information, it is particularly easy to determine which maintenance facility is suitable for maintaining the vehicle.

[0060] In a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the maintenance of the vehicle is carried out using the determined, suitable maintenance facility. A parameter characterizing the demand information and a parameter characterizing the resource information are adapted in response to the maintenance.

[0061] In this way, a beneficial feedback loop occurs within the system, consisting of vehicles and maintenance equipment, whereby an adjustment of the requirement information and the resource information brings this system up to date. If, for example, a maintenance resource is used up during maintenance, the parameter characterizing the resource information is adjusted accordingly. At the same time, the parameter characterizing the requirement information is adjusted accordingly after maintenance; this is because the maintenance requirement is generally lower after a successful maintenance than before.

[0062] The parameter that characterizes the demand information is, for example, a continuous or discrete value that indicates how strong the need for maintenance is.

[0063] The parameter that characterizes the resource information is, for example, a continuous or discrete value that indicates the fill level of a resource at the respective maintenance facility.

[0064] The aforementioned object is further achieved by the method for the safe operation of the vehicle. In this method, the method of the type described above is carried out, wherein the vehicle moves to the determined, suitable maintenance facility for maintenance and / or the determined, suitable maintenance facility moves to the vehicle for maintenance.

[0065] The object mentioned above is further achieved by the computer-implemented switching method for switching between a vehicle and a maintenance facility. In the switching method, requirement information representing a maintenance requirement for the vehicle is determined. Resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility is determined. The maintenance facility suitable for maintenance is assigned to the vehicle depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0066] The object mentioned at the outset is further achieved by a computer-implemented platform for carrying out the computer-implemented mediation method of the type described above.

[0067] In this way, a platform can be created for the recording and processing of supply and demand for maintenance services.

[0068] The object mentioned above is further achieved by a computer program. The computer program comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to execute the method of the type described above or the computer-implemented switching method of the type described above.

[0069] The object mentioned at the outset is further achieved by a provision device for the computer program of the type described above, wherein the provision device stores and / or provides the computer program.

[0070] The provision device is, for example, a storage unit that stores and / or provides the computer program. Alternatively and / or additionally, the provision device is, for example, a network service, a computer system, a server system, in particular a distributed, for example cloud-based, computer system and / or virtual computer system, which stores and / or provides the computer program product, preferably in the form of a data stream.

[0071] The provision takes place in the form of a program data block as a file, in particular as a download file, or as a data stream, in particular as a download data stream, of the computer program. This provision can, for example, also take place as a partial download consisting of several parts. Such a computer program is, for example, read into a system using the provision device, so that the method according to the invention is carried out on a computer. The object mentioned at the outset is further achieved by a system for servicing a vehicle. The system comprises a requirement determination device which is set up to determine requirement information which represents a maintenance requirement for the vehicle.The system further comprises a resource determination device configured to determine resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility. The system further comprises a computing device configured to determine the maintenance facility suitable for maintenance based on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0072] For advantages, embodiments and design details of the method according to the invention for the safe operation of a vehicle, the computer-implemented switching method according to the invention, the computer-implemented platform according to the invention, the computer program according to the invention, the provision device according to the invention and the system according to the invention, reference can be made to the above description of the corresponding method features of the method according to the invention.

[0073] The invention further relates to a method for maintaining a vehicle, in which: requirement information representing a maintenance requirement for the vehicle is determined, resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility is determined, and the maintenance facility is assigned to the vehicle for maintenance depending on the requirement information and the resource information. According to a preferred embodiment of this method, the requirement information for at least one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in a vehicle fleet is determined, and the resource information for at least one maintenance facility of a plurality of maintenance facilities is determined. At least one maintenance facility of the plurality of maintenance facilities is assigned to the at least one vehicle for maintenance depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0074] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the at least one maintenance device is assigned to the at least one vehicle depending on a prioritization.

[0075] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, location information representing a location of the maintenance facility is provided, and vehicle location information representing a location of the vehicle is provided. The maintenance facility is assigned to the vehicle for maintenance based on the location information and the vehicle location information.

[0076] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, cost information representing costs to be expected for the maintenance of the vehicle by the maintenance facility is determined for the maintenance facility and the maintenance facility is assigned to the vehicle for maintenance depending on the cost information.

[0077] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the resource information represents

[0078] - a qualification of the maintenance facility for the maintenance of the vehicle,

[0079] - a certification of the maintenance facility for the maintenance of the vehicle,

[0080] - a free capacity of the maintenance facility, - a quantity of material to be used for maintenance,

[0081] - a type of material to be used for maintenance,

[0082] - an amount of energy required for maintenance and / or

[0083] - a utilization of the maintenance facility.

[0084] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the vehicle is a track-bound vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

[0085] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the maintenance facility comprises a workshop facility to which the assigned vehicle moves in ferry operation and

[0086] - where the maintenance is carried out.

[0087] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the requirement information is determined by means of a maintenance planning system.

[0088] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, a current operating state of the vehicle is taken into account when determining the requirement information.

[0089] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the requirement information comprises the subject of maintenance.

[0090] According to a further preferred embodiment of this method, the maintenance of the vehicle is carried out by means of the maintenance device and a parameter characterizing the requirement information and a parameter characterizing the resource information are adapted to the maintenance. The invention further relates to a system for maintaining a vehicle. The system comprises: a requirement determination device which is set up to determine requirement information which represents a maintenance requirement for the vehicle, a resource determination device which is set up to determine resource information which represents a maintenance resource of a maintenance device, and a computing device which is set up to assign the maintenance device to the vehicle for maintenance depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0091] Examples of the invention are explained with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0092] Figure 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a process flow in the maintenance of a vehicle according to the method according to the invention,

[0093] Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram as an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention for planning and coordinating the maintenance of a vehicle and

[0094] Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a map view with a schematic representation of a vehicle and several maintenance facilities.

[0095] Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary embodiment of a process flow for the maintenance and safe operation of a vehicle 1. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the vehicle is a track-bound vehicle 2, namely a rail vehicle 3.

[0096] In a method step A, the rail vehicle 3 is operated in normal mode. This normal mode includes several journeys of the rail vehicle 3 on one or more routes as well as repeated parking of the rail vehicle 3, for example, in a depot.

[0097] After the rail vehicle 3 has been operated in normal operation for a certain period, maintenance, such as servicing, is usually required. In other words, there is a need for maintenance.

[0098] The maintenance requirement is triggered in a process step B by an event 6. The event can, for example, be a diagnostic message from the rail vehicle 3, which indicates that there is a malfunction or that repairs are necessary. Alternatively, the event 6 can be based on a prediction which indicates that maintenance should be carried out within a specified period of time in order to avoid subsequent corrective action. The event 6 results in maintenance planning becoming due by the fleet management or the fleet manager. This fleet management is often referred to in technical terms as EMC III (within the meaning of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 445 / 2011 of 10 May 2011 on a scheme for the certification of entities in charge of the maintenance of freight wagons and amending Regulation (EC) No.653 / 2007 ; ECM : Entity in Charge of Maintenance ) .

[0099] In a method step C, maintenance planning is carried out by ECM III with a maintenance planning system 13. Figure 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of the method according to the invention within the framework of maintenance planning C.

[0100] During maintenance planning C, in a process step CI, requirement information representing the maintenance requirements for the rail vehicle 3 is determined. This is triggered, for example, by the event 6 described above. In particular, in a process step CC1, requirement information is determined for each of several rail vehicles 3 in a vehicle fleet. The requirement information is determined using the maintenance planning system 13, which in this context serves as a requirement determination device 14.

[0101] The requirement information specifies, for example, which components (in Figure 1, for example, the front light 9 of the rail vehicle 3) must be maintained. In other words: the object of maintenance is specified. In addition, the requirement information specifies, for example, what quantity and what type of spare parts or material is required for maintenance. In addition, the requirement information specifies, for example, what equipment is required for maintenance. In addition, the requirement information specifies, for example, what qualification, certification and / or infrastructure the maintenance facility 7 requires for the maintenance of the rail vehicle 3.

[0102] During planning C, resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility 7 is determined in a method step C2. In particular, resource information is determined for a plurality of maintenance facilities in each case in a method step CC2. The resource information is determined using the maintenance planning system 13, which in this context serves as a resource determination facility 15. The basis for determining the resource information is, for example, information on qualification, certification, free capacity, equipment, infrastructure, material quantity, energy quantity and utilization, which are supplied by the plurality of maintenance facilities.For this purpose, for example, a standardized interface is provided by the maintenance planning system 13, through which the multiple maintenance facilities can make their information available. Communication between the maintenance planning system and the multiple maintenance facilities takes place, for example, via the World Wide Web, a wide area network, or a local area network. In this sense, the maintenance planning system 13 serves as a hub where different information converges and is processed.

[0103] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the maintenance facility 7 is a workshop 8.

[0104] The resource information includes, for example, a qualification of the maintenance facility 7 for the maintenance of the vehicle. The qualification is, for example, a qualification according to a standard specified by the operator 5 of the vehicle 1.

[0105] Furthermore, the resource information includes, for example, a certification of the maintenance facility 7 for the maintenance of the vehicle as a so-called EMC (Entity in Charge of Maintenance) in accordance with Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019 / 779 of 16 June 2019.

[0106] Furthermore, the resource information includes, for example, a free capacity of the maintenance facility 7, which concerns free personnel who can carry out the maintenance, free energy resources for the maintenance, free material resources for the maintenance, etc .

[0107] Furthermore, the resource information includes, for example, equipment of the maintenance facility, in particular tools, machines, transport racks, transport trolleys, lifting platforms, assembly trolleys, storage cabinets, and other means that must be available to carry out the necessary maintenance measures.

[0108] Furthermore, the resource information includes, for example, an infrastructure of the maintenance facility, in particular features such as the number of spaces for parking vehicles, the number of work pits from which maintenance measures can be carried out below the vehicle, and / or other infrastructural features of the maintenance facility.

[0109] Furthermore, the resource information includes, for example, a quantity of a material to be used for maintenance, in particular the quantity of available spare parts, replacement panels, lubricants, etc.

[0110] In a method step C3, location information representing a location of the maintenance facility 7 is provided. The location information is provided, for example, by a database, a digital map, or by the maintenance facility and transmitted, in particular communicated, to the maintenance planning system 13. In particular, in a method step CC3, location information is provided for each of a plurality of maintenance facilities.

[0111] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a digital map on which a vehicle 1 and several maintenance facilities 103, 105, 107 and 109 are shown.

[0112] In a method step 04, vehicle location information which represents a location of the vehicle 1 is provided. The vehicle location information is determined, for example, by the vehicle 1 itself, provided and transmitted to the maintenance planning system 13 via vehicle-land communication. The vehicle location information is determined, for example, on the basis of a GPS signal received by the vehicle 1, on the basis of a distance measurement using a speed sensor of the vehicle 1, on the basis of an optical detection of the surroundings of the vehicle 1, etc. In particular, in a method step CC4, vehicle location information is each provided to the plurality of vehicles. Distances d between the vehicles and maintenance facilities are determined on the basis of the location information and the vehicle location information.For example, the distance d between the vehicle 1 and the maintenance facility 103 and / or a distance which the vehicle 1 would have to cover on the drivable route 110 to the maintenance facility 103 is determined.

[0113] During planning C, in a method step C5, the maintenance facility 7 suitable for maintenance is determined based on the requirement information and the resource information. In particular, in a method step CC5, at least one maintenance facility 7 of the plurality of maintenance facilities suitable for maintenance is determined based on the requirement information and the resource information.

[0114] This is done, for example, by a comparison in which it is checked whether the maintenance resource according to resource information can cover the maintenance requirement according to requirement information.

[0115] In addition, the location information and the vehicle location information or the distance described above are taken into account when determining C5 or CC5 of the suitable maintenance facility. Finally, cost information is taken into account when determining C5 or CC5. The cost information represents costs that are to be expected for the maintenance of the vehicle 1 by the maintenance facility 7. This cost information is provided, for example, by the maintenance facility or estimated by the maintenance planning system (without querying the maintenance facility) based on past maintenance.

[0116] The suitable maintenance facility 7 is determined, for example, by means of the maintenance planning system 13. The maintenance planning system 13 has a computing device 16, which is configured to execute a computer program for determining the requirement information, the resource information, and the suitable maintenance facility.

[0117] In a process step D, this planning is coordinated with the operator 5 of the rail vehicle 3. Operator 5 is, for example, a railway undertaking (RU).

[0118] The identified, suitable maintenance facility 7 is then selected for maintenance. Alternatively, the determination and selection takes place as a mediation, according to an embodiment of a computer-implemented mediation method according to the invention for mediating the vehicle 1 and the maintenance facility 7.

[0119] In a process step E, maintenance is coordinated with the suitable and selected maintenance facility 7. After coordination E, this maintenance facility 7 is commissioned in a process step F. In a process step G, a corresponding maintenance checklist 11 is transmitted to the maintenance facility 7.

[0120] In a method step H, the rail vehicle 3 is fed to the maintenance facility 7. This is done, for example, by the rail vehicle moving in a method step H1 in ferry mode over a route that can be traveled by the rail vehicle 3, e.g., the route 110 shown in Figure 3, to the workshop 8 or maintenance facility 103.

[0121] In a method step J, the maintenance of the rail vehicle 3 is carried out by the maintenance facility 7.

[0122] In a process step K, the maintenance facility 7 reports the maintenance performed and issues an operating release. In a process step L, the maintenance planning system 13 of the fleet management system (ECM III) checks the relevant documents.

[0123] In a process step M, the fleet management (ECM III) issues a recommissioning order and sends it to the operator 5 (EVU).

[0124] In addition, a parameter characterizing the requirement information and a parameter characterizing the resource information are adjusted after maintenance has been carried out. If, for example, a maintenance resource is used up during maintenance, the parameter characterizing the resource information is adjusted accordingly. At the same time, the parameter characterizing the requirement information is adjusted accordingly after maintenance, for example, set to a value that indicates a lower need for maintenance; because the maintenance requirement is usually lower after successful maintenance than before.

[0125] The rail vehicle 3 can be operated again by the operator 5 (EVU) in accordance with the above-mentioned process step A (until maintenance is required again).

[0126] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by the preferred embodiment, the invention is not limited to the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived therefrom by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Method for maintaining a vehicle (1), in which: requirement information representing a maintenance requirement for the vehicle (1) is determined (CI), resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility (7) is determined and the maintenance facility (7) suitable for maintenance is determined depending on the requirement information and the resource information (05).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the requirement information is determined for at least one vehicle of a plurality of vehicles in a vehicle fleet (CC1) and the resource information is determined for a plurality of maintenance facilities (CC2), wherein at least one maintenance facility of the plurality of maintenance facilities which is suitable for maintenance is determined as a function of the requirement information and the resource information (CC5).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one maintenance facility suitable for maintenance is determined as a function of prioritization.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which location information representing a location of the maintenance facility is provided (03, CC3), vehicle location information representing a location of the vehicle is provided (C4, CC4), and the maintenance facility (7) suitable for maintenance is determined depending on the location information and the vehicle location information.

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which cost information, which represents costs which are to be expected for the maintenance of the vehicle by the maintenance facility (7), is determined for the maintenance facility (7) and the maintenance facility (7) which is suitable for the maintenance is determined as a function of the cost information.

6. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the resource information - a qualification of the maintenance facility for the maintenance of the vehicle, - a certification of the maintenance facility for the maintenance of the vehicle, - free capacity of the maintenance facility, - equipment for the maintenance facility, - an infrastructure of the maintenance facility, - a quantity of a material to be used for maintenance which is available at the maintenance facility, - an amount of energy required for maintenance that is available to the maintenance facility, and / or - represents a utilization of the maintenance facility.

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the vehicle (1) is a track-bound vehicle (2), in particular a rail vehicle (3).

8. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the maintenance facility (7) comprises a workshop facility (8) to which the vehicle (1) moves in ferry operation (Hl) and - at which the maintenance is carried out (J) .

9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the requirement information is determined by means of a maintenance planning system (13).

10. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which a current operating state of the vehicle (1) is taken into account when determining (C5, CC5) the requirement information.

11. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the requirement information comprises the object (9) of maintenance.

12. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, in which the maintenance of the vehicle (1) is carried out by means of the determined, suitable maintenance facility (7) (J) and a parameter characterizing the demand information and a parameter characterizing the resource information are adapted to the maintenance (J).

13. A method for the safe operation of a vehicle, in which the method is carried out according to at least one of claims 1 to 12 and the vehicle (1) moves (Hl) to the maintenance facility (7) for maintenance and / or the maintenance facility (7) moves to the vehicle (1) for maintenance.

14. Computer-implemented switching method for switching a vehicle (1) and a maintenance facility (7), in which: requirement information representing a maintenance requirement for the vehicle (1) is determined, resource information representing a maintenance resource of a maintenance facility (7) is determined and the maintenance facility (7) suitable for maintenance is switched to the vehicle (1) depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

15. A computer-implemented platform for executing the computer-implemented mediation method according to claim 14.

16. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computing device (16), cause the computing device (16) to carry out the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 12 or to carry out the computer-implemented switching method according to claim 14.

17. A provision device for the computer program according to claim 16, wherein the provision device stores and / or provides the computer program.

18. System for maintaining a vehicle (1), comprising: a requirement determination device (14) which is set up to determine requirement information which represents a maintenance requirement for the vehicle (1), a resource determination device (15) which is set up to determine resource information which represents a maintenance resource of a maintenance device (7), and a computing device (16) which is set up to determine the maintenance device (7) which is suitable for the maintenance, depending on the requirement information and the resource information.

Images