Military vehicle configured to diagnose damage and method for determining such a diagnosis

Abstract

A military vehicle comprising a primary communication network (R1) including a primary computer (10) connected to a plurality of primary equipment (11-15) of the military vehicle, each primary equipment (11-15) being configured to provide a primary state (E11-E15) of said primary equipment (11-15), a vehicle electronics network (R2) comprising a vehicle electronics computer (20) and at least one vehicle electronics device (22-25) configured to provide vehicle electronics data (D22-D25), the vehicle electronics network (R2) being connected to the primary communication network (R1) by a communication link (3), the vehicle electronics computer (20) being configured to collect a plurality of primary states (E11-E15) via the primary computer (10) and determine a damage diagnosis (DIAG) from the primary states (E11-E15) and at least one vehicle electronics data (D22-D25) temporally correlated. Figure from the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Military vehicle configured to determine a damage diagnosis and method for determining such a diagnosis Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of military vehicles and, more particularly, to the determination of a diagnosis of damage to a military vehicle following an accident or an attack.

[0002] As is known, a military vehicle comprises, like many traditional vehicles, a primary communication network connecting several electronic devices (speed sensor, status of the vehicle's openings, presence of the driver, status of the engine, status of the tires, etc.) to a primary computer of the vehicle. The vehicle comprises an interface, for example a dashboard, allowing the driver of the military vehicle or a remote command center to know the status of the vehicle's equipment and general breakdown information.

[0003] In the event of an accident or enemy attack, the military vehicle may be damaged. The military vehicle interface provides general information about the military vehicle but does not allow the occupants to determine the severity of the damage and the confidence level of the diagnosis. In particular, the occupants of the military vehicle cannot practically determine whether the military vehicle is suitable for driving away from danger without exiting the vehicle and exposing themselves to attack. In addition, the occupants have a limited view of the environment outside the military vehicle and it is difficult to visually estimate the damage without exiting the military vehicle and exposing themselves to danger.

[0004] A military vehicle also includes a vetronic network, i.e. an electronic network embedded in the military vehicle, to which detection equipment (radar, optronics, inertial unit, positioning system, etc.), communication and weapons equipment are connected. Such a vetronic network is independent of the primary communication network of the vehicle. In the event of damage, the occupants must use the communication equipment to notify the command center and indicate the state of the vehicle following the damage. When the damage is very significant (vehicle rollover, etc.), the occupants may be prevented from notifying the command center, which prevents the arrival of help or the deployment of a military strategy.

[0005] The invention thus aims to eliminate at least some of these drawbacks by proposing a communication architecture for a military vehicle allowing occupants to reliably and securely determine a damage diagnosis. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention relates to a military vehicle comprising: • a primary communication network comprising a primary computer connected to a plurality of primary equipments of the military vehicle, each primary equipment being configured to provide a primary status of said primary equipment, • a vetronic network comprising a vetronic computer and at least one vetronic device configured to provide vetronic data, the vetronic network being connected to the primary communication network by a communication link, • the vetronic calculator being configured for: • collect a plurality of primary states via the primary computer and • determine a damage diagnosis from the primary states and at least one temporally correlated vetronic data.

[0007] By means of the invention, a relevant damage diagnosis is determined which takes into account data from the primary communication network but also from the vetronics network. Such a damage diagnosis can be easily interpreted by an occupant of the vehicle or a command center in order to determine the best option following the damage. By means of the data from the vetronics network temporally correlated to the primary states, the risk of danger outside the military vehicle and the ability to move the military vehicle to a military base can be reliably determined.

[0008] Preferably, the vetronic computer is connected directly to the primary computer by a communication link. Such a link makes it possible to make the data from the vetronic computer directly accessible to the primary computer.

[0009] Preferably, the vetronics computer is configured to output the damage diagnosis to the occupants of the military vehicle, in particular, on a dashboard of the military vehicle. Thus, the occupants can know the external risk and the ability to return to the military base with the military vehicle without leaving the military vehicle.

[0010] Preferably, the military vehicle comprises an encrypted communication module connected to the vetronic network. The vetronic computer is configured to transmit the damage diagnosis via the encrypted communication module. Thus, a The command center can be alerted reactively to plan rescue operations and anticipate the presence of hostile forces at the damage site.

[0011] Preferably, the communication link is unidirectional from the primary communication network to the vetronics network. This reduces the risk of cyberattack on the primary communication network.

[0012] Preferably, at least one vetronic equipment is a pulse wave sensor configured to provide pulse wave detection. Pulse wave detection makes it possible to determine an explosion linked to a rocket, mine, etc. The use of such vetronic equipment makes it possible to determine whether the damage is linked to hostile forces. The damage diagnosis then makes it possible to warn of the presence of hostile forces in the damage zone.

[0013] Preferably, at least one vetronic device is an inertial unit configured to provide an inertial state. This makes it possible to determine whether the vehicle is upright, upside down or lying down. This is particularly relevant for a command center that wishes to organize a rescue mission.

[0014] Preferably, at least one primary equipment is a state sensor of an engine of the military vehicle providing an operating state of the engine. This makes it possible to determine the capacity of the military vehicle to be able to move following the damage and to adapt, accordingly, the organization of a rescue mission.

[0015] Preferably, the military vehicle comprises a memory space storing the damage diagnosis in order to keep in memory the causes of the damage in the event of destruction of the military vehicle.

[0016] The invention also relates to a method for determining a diagnosis of damage to a military vehicle as presented previously, the method comprising steps consisting of: • collect a plurality of primary states via the primary calculator and • determine a damage diagnosis from the primary states and at least one temporally correlated vetronic data. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0017] The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given by way of example, and referring to the following figures, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects.

[0018] [Fig.l] is a schematic representation of a military vehicle according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] [Fig.2] is a schematic representation of the communication architecture of the military vehicle.

[0020] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The invention will be presented for a military vehicle V as illustrated in [Fig. 1]. In this example, a motor vehicle is presented but it goes without saying that the invention also applies to a tracked vehicle, a maritime vehicle or other.

[0022] Conventionally, the military vehicle V comprises a primary communication network RI which is linked to the internal structure of the military vehicle V. Such a communication network is known per se to those skilled in the art.

[0023] The primary communication network RI comprises a primary computer 10 connected to a plurality of primary equipments 11-15 of the military vehicle V. Preferably, the connection is made by a gateway, a line of the BUS-CAN type, for example, implementing a CAN SAE J1939 protocol. Each primary equipment 11-15 is configured to provide a primary state El 1-El5 of said primary equipment 11-15.

[0024] The primary devices 11-15 may take various forms and provide different primary states.

[0025] For example, the primary equipment 11-15 can be: • A tire pressure sensor 11 providing a puncture status Eli, • A driver presence sensor 12 providing a driver presence status El2, • An opening sensor (door, window) 13 providing an opening status E13, • A temperature sensor 14 of a vehicle engine providing a E14 temperature measurement, • An engine status sensor 15 providing an operating status of the engine El5, etc.

[0026] It goes without saying that the primary equipment could also concern the steering, braking, remote inflation, controlled suspension, the pressure sensor on the steering wheel, the acceleration sensor, the gearbox, the airbag, the rain sensor, the light sensor, the air quality sensor, the attention sensor, etc.

[0027] The primary computer 10 can advantageously collect the primary states E1 1-E15 and perform calculations with the latter, for example, to trigger an engine alarm if the temperature E15 and the pressure E1 1 are outside predetermined ranges. completed.

[0028] Preferably, the primary communication network RI comprises an interface, in particular a dashboard, on which primary states E11-E15 of the primary equipment 11-15 are displayed as well as alarms emitted by the primary computer 10.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the military vehicle V further comprises a vetronic network R2 which is specific to a military vehicle V. A vetronic network is an electronic network which connects different military equipment.

[0030] The vetronic network R2 comprises a vetronic computer 20 which is connected to different vetronic equipment 21-25. Preferably, the connection is made by a line of the serial, parallel type or in the form of a local network.

[0031] The R2 vetronic network includes several vetronic devices such as for example: • an encrypted communication module 21, • A 22 acquisition camera configured to provide D22 images, • A pulse wave sensor 23 (also called a “blast” sensor) configured to provide pulse wave detection D23, • An inertial unit 24 configured to provide inertial data D24, • An independent navigation system 25 configured to provide a position D25, • A jamming system, • A weapons system, etc.

[0032] As previously presented, certain vetronics equipment 22-25 are configured to provide vetronics data D22-D25 which is useful in military terms.

[0033] According to the invention, with reference to figures 1 and 2, the vetronic network R2 is connected to the primary communication network RI by a communication link 3 so as to give access to the vetronic network R2 to primary states or alarms of the primary computer 10. This communication link 3 is preferably made by a connecting cable connecting the primary computer 10 to the vetronic computer 20. Preferably, this link 3 is unidirectional so as not to impact the primary computer 10, in particular, in the event of a computer attack.

[0034] According to the invention, the vetronic calculator 20 is configured to: • collect a plurality of primary states El 1-E15 from the primary computer 10 via the communication link 3 and • determine a damage diagnosis DIAG from the primary states E11-E15 and at least one temporally correlated vetronic data D22-D25.

[0035] Thus, the damage diagnosis DIAG can include several primary states E11-E15 (state of the openings, state of the engine, etc.) and several vetronic data D22-D25 (pulse wave, exterior video, vehicle rollover, etc.). The damage diagnosis DIAG can include raw data (primary states E11-E15 and vetronic data D22-D25) but also one or more main states allowing the raw data to be easily interpreted. For example, a main state can be: • An unusable vehicle alert with / without external danger • A damaged vehicle alert with / without external danger, etc.

[0036] These main states can be determined by the vetronics computer 20 by learning (neural networks, artificial intelligence algorithms, etc.) from the raw data from the primary network RI and the vetronics network R2. The main states can also be determined from business algorithms from the raw data.

[0037] As illustrated in [Fig.2], such a damage diagnosis DIAG can be provided by the vetronics computer 20 to the occupants of the military vehicle V, in particular, on a dashboard. This allows the latter to determine their options in a secure and reliable manner without having to exit the military vehicle V and expose themselves to risk.

[0038] Preferably, the vetronics computer 20 is also configured to transmit the damage diagnosis DIAG via the encrypted communication module 21 in order to allow the command center to take strategic decisions in a reactive manner, in particular, to provide assistance to the occupants of the military vehicle V. This makes it possible in particular to determine whether there is a risk of attack for the rescue team.

[0039] Thanks to the invention, the safety of the occupants of a military vehicle is improved in the event of an accident or attack. The occupants as well as the command center advantageously have easily interpretable and relevant data at their disposal.

[0040] Preferably, the military vehicle V comprises a memory space storing the damage diagnosis DIAG. Thus, in the event of destruction of the military vehicle V, the memory space fulfills a black box function to determine the causes of the damage.

[0041] The invention also relates to a method comprising steps consisting of collecting a plurality of primary states El 1-E15 via the primary computer 10 and determining a damage diagnosis DIAG from the primary states El 1-E15 and at least one temporally correlated vetronic data D22-D25.

[0042] For example, the data from the various sensors and the state of the various computers of the military vehicle V (primary states) circulate on the communication network primary nication RI. As is known, a tire of the military vehicle V has a pressure sensor. Similarly, the military vehicle V has several sensors associated with a wheel.

[0043] Similarly, the data from the various sensors relating to the weapon system, telecommunications, navigation, and specific equipment (secondary states) circulate on the R2 vetronic network.

[0044] During an explosion of an improvised explosive device known by its designation EDI for "Improvised Explosive Device" or a rocket, one or more wheels can be torn off or pierced. By correlating the tire pressure data, the wheel speed sensors, the pressure sensor of the braking system and / or possibly a pneumatic suspension, it is possible to determine which wheels are torn off and / or which tires are punctured. In practice, the wheel speed sensor, which is ideally placed as close as possible to the differential, will not detect a problem with the transmission of movement if the differential lock is activated. Conversely, the wheel speed sensor will detect a runaway wheel speed compared to the other unaffected wheel.

[0045] Furthermore, the braking system will detect an opening of its circuits. The parking brake system is thus likely to be activated by lack of pressure and the pressure build-up during braking will not occur. As regards the shock absorbers, if they are pneumatic or oleopneumatic, a pressure drop, or an abnormal stroke of the shock absorber will be detected. If the vehicle is in a maneuvering situation, the steering wheel angle is also supposed to be correlated with the speeds of each wheel and the yaw rate data. In the event of inconsistency, the steering wheel angle can be correlated with the condition of a wheel to detect damage. In the same way, it is possible to estimate, based on the damage in the pneumatic or hydraulic circuit of the transmission axles, whether an explosion has affected an axle.Wheel speed sensors may be silent, as may actuators, hydraulic or pneumatic axle control receivers (reducer, differential lock, etc.). If vertical acceleration, rolling or pitching is detected by the inertial unit, this confirms an underbody explosion. Advantageously, the data from the R2 vetronic network allows damage to be qualified, but also the direction of an explosion or an attack shot thanks to its inertial unit, its pulse wave sensors, its optronic or acoustic system, allowing the orientation of an explosion, of attack shots, and the direction of the impulse of a body movement to be identified.

[0046] The data coming from the primary communication network RI and the vetronic network R2 are correlated to determine damage relating to the wheels concerned (simple puncture, tearing, etc.).

[0047] A correlation step can involve logic such as artificial intelligence, neural networks, business rules, etc. but also take into account the internal design of the equipment. Advantageously, the correlation step can be improved by feedback in order in particular to improve the learning algorithms implemented.

[0048] Preferably, each correlation is associated with a degree of correlation. In practice, several correlation thresholds are defined defining several degrees of correlation (or degree of confidence). For each correlation, a degree of correlation is thus associated. As a result, each damage is associated with a degree of correlation or degree of confidence. It is then possible to estimate a damage diagnosis DIAG of the military vehicle V with a degree of confidence which is a function of the degree of correlation of each damage defining a damage diagnosis DIAG.

[0049] Advantageously, the damage diagnosis DIAG of a vehicle is represented by a three-dimensional map in which each damage is represented. This damage diagnosis DIAG can then be shared with the pilot and / or the command center. Determining a degree of confidence for a damage diagnosis DIAG advantageously allows the pilot or the command center to interpret the damage diagnosis DIAG in a relevant manner. An informed decision can thus be made for the continuation of the mission.

[0050] A transmission to the command center allows emergency services to be called in quickly if the passengers of the military vehicle V have lost consciousness.

Claims

Claims

1. Military vehicle (V) comprising: • a primary communication network (RI) comprising a primary computer (10) connected to a plurality of primary equipment (11-15) of the military vehicle (V), each primary equipment (11-15) being configured to provide a primary state (El 1-El5) of said primary equipment (11-15), • a vetronic network (R2) comprising a vetronic computer (20) and at least one vetronic equipment (22-25) configured to provide vetronic data (D22-D25), the vetronic network (R2) being connected to the primary communication network (RI) by a communication link (3), • the vetronic computer (20) being configured to: • collect a plurality of primary states (El 1-E15) via the primary computer (10) and • determine a damage diagnosis (DIAG) from the primary states (El 1-E15) and at least one vetronic data (D22-D25) correlated temporally.

2. Military vehicle (V) according to claim 1 in which the vetronic computer (20) is directly connected to the primary computer (10) by a communication link (3).

3. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the vetronic computer (20) is configured to transmit the damage diagnosis (DIAG) to the occupants of the military vehicle (V).

4. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 3, comprising an encrypted communication module (21) connected to the vetronic network (R2), the vetronic computer (20) being configured to transmit the damage diagnosis (DIAG) via the encrypted communication module (21).

5. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the communication link (3) is unidirectional from the primary communication network (RI) to the vetronic network (R2).

6. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 5 in which at least one vetronic equipment is a pulse wave sensor. sional (23) configured to provide pulse wave detection (D23).

7. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 6 in which at least one vetronic equipment is an inertial unit (24) configured to provide an inertial state (E24).

8. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 7 in which at least one primary equipment is a state sensor (15) of an engine of the military vehicle (V) providing an operating state of the engine (El5).

9. Military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 8 comprising a memory space storing the damage diagnosis (DIAG).

10. Method for determining a damage diagnosis (DIAG) of a military vehicle (V) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising steps consisting of: • collecting a plurality of primary states (El 1-El5) via the primary computer (10) and • determining a damage diagnosis (DIAG) from the primary states (El 1-El5) and at least one temporally correlated vetronic data (D22-D25).

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