Performing a test on a component of a motor vehicle using a tool from a remote testing infrastructure

Abstract

The invention relates to a method by which an operator (O) performs a test on a component (C) of a motor vehicle using a tool (2) on a remote testing infrastructure (3) under the responsibility of a supervisor (S). The invention also relates to a computer system (1) enabling the implementation of such a method. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Performing a test on a component of a motor vehicle using a tool from a remote testing infrastructure Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of systems used in the design of motor vehicles, particularly those that enable testing. The invention relates specifically to a method by which an operator performs a test on a component of a motor vehicle using a tool from a remote testing infrastructure under the supervision of a supervisor. The invention also relates to a system for implementing such a method. The invention is applicable to the design of motor vehicles such as motor vehicles, particularly cars. Prior art

[0002] Research and development tasks for modern motor vehicles involve the use of a wide range of testing tools, for example, computer tools such as supercomputers, which are used in particular to model vehicle aerodynamics, or test benches that allow observation of vehicle traction, especially for hybrid or electric vehicles. However, some of these tools are extremely expensive, and car manufacturers, wishing to minimize vehicle manufacturing costs, cannot afford to install them at all their production sites. Often, these tools are installed at only a few sites, and engineers must therefore travel to these locations to conduct tests. This inevitably leads to delays in vehicle design and an increase in manufacturing costs. Summary of the invention

[0003] The invention aims to address this issue. In particular, it aims to provide a solution enabling an operator to perform a test of a motor vehicle component at their place of work using a tool from a remote testing infrastructure that is under the responsibility of a supervisor. The invention also aims to provide such a solution in a way that ensures that the tools of a testing infrastructure are used only by operators authorized by the supervisor in charge. In this way, the invention aims to facilitate the design of motor vehicles while reducing manufacturing costs.

[0004] To achieve these goals, the invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a method of The execution by an operator of a test of a component of a motor vehicle carried out using a tool of a remote testing infrastructure which is under the responsibility of a supervisor, the process comprising the following steps: i. The operator operates a computer terminal to establish a connection with an access server that provides a visualization and tool selection interface to submit a request to use the tool; ii. The operator communicates with the supervisor; iii. The supervisor validates the operator's use of the tool via a management interface; and iv. a tool control interface that allows the operator to perform the test is provided to the terminal.

[0005] According to one variant, step ii) can be carried out using a telephone network.

[0006] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a computer system for to enable an operator to carry out a test of a component of a motor vehicle using a tool from a remote test infrastructure which is under the responsibility of a supervisor, said system comprising a computer terminal configured to allow the establishment of a connection with an access server which provides an interface for viewing and selecting the tool to submit a request to use the tool, a management interface configured for the supervisor to validate the use of the tool by the operator, said test infrastructure being configured to provide a control interface for the tool to the terminal once the use of the tool by the operator is validated by the supervisor. Brief description of the figures

[0007] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from an examination of the detailed description below, and the accompanying figures, in which:

[0008] [Fig-1] is a diagram illustrating a system according to the invention; and

[0009] [Fig.2] is a flowchart of the steps of a process according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0010] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a system 1 according to the invention for enabling an operator O to carry out a test of a component of a motor vehicle C using a tool 2 from a remote test infrastructure 3 which is under the responsibility of a supervisor S. It is a computer system comprising a computer terminal 4 operated by the operator O, which is configured to allow the establishment of a connection with an access server 5. Advantageously, the access server 5 is configured to provide the terminal 2 with a visualization and selection interface for the tool 2 which allows the submission of a request to use the tool.

[0011] The system 1 according to the invention further comprises a management interface 6, which is configured to allow validation by the supervisor S of the use of the tool 2 by the operator O, and the test infrastructure 3 is configured to provide the terminal 4 with a control interface for the tool which allows the test to be carried out as soon as the use of the tool 2 by the operator O is validated by the supervisor S. Preferably, all these elements communicate by means of conventional communication networks, in particular the Internet, which are schematically represented by the solid arrows.

[0012] According to the invention, the elements described above are used to implement a method for an operator to carry out a test of a component of a motor vehicle using a tool from a remote testing infrastructure which is under the responsibility of a supervisor, as described below in relation to figures 1 and 2.

[0013] Figure 2 illustrates, in the form of a flowchart, the steps of the process according to the invention. According to a first step 201, an operator wishing to test a component of a motor vehicle C using tool 2 of the test infrastructure 3, which is located remotely from their place of work, operates terminal 4 to establish a connection with the access server 5. Advantageously, the latter provides in response a visualization and tool selection interface that allows the operator O to submit a request to use tool 2.

[0014] Next, according to a second step 202 of the process, operator O communicates with supervisor S, preferably via a telephone network, to inform them of their desire to use tool 2 of the test infrastructure and that they have submitted a usage request through the access server 5. This step is preferably carried out via a telephone network, represented in [Fig. 1] by the dashed arrow. This step advantageously allows supervisor S to retain the decision-making power to authorize or refuse operator O's remote testing using tool 2 of the test infrastructure 3.

[0015] According to a third step 203 of the process, the supervisor S validates the use of the tool 2 by means of the management interface 6 to which he has access, possibly by validating the request submitted by the operator O via the access server 5.

[0016] Finally, according to a fourth and final step 204 of the process, a control interface for the tool 2 which allows the operator O to carry out the test is provided to the terminal 4, preferably directly by the test infrastructure 3 by means of a communication channel which the latter establishes with the terminal 4. The operator O can at this stage carry out the test by means of the control interface provided to the terminal 4.

[0017] Therefore, thanks to the method and device according to the invention described above, a solution is provided to prevent an engineer wishing to carry out a test of a A vehicle component does not need to be moved to a site containing a test facility equipped with a tool for performing the test. Furthermore, the test facility supervisor retains the authority to ensure that the tools of the test facility are used only by authorized operators. In this way, the invention facilitates the design of motor vehicles while reducing manufacturing costs.

Claims

Claims

1. Method for carrying out by an operator (0) a test of a component of a motor vehicle (C) carried out by means of a tool (2) of a remote test infrastructure (3) which is under the responsibility of a supervisor (S), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: i. the operator (0) operates a computer terminal (4) to establish a connection with an access server (5) which provides an interface for viewing and selecting the tool to submit a request for use of the tool; ii. the operator (0) communicates with the supervisor (S); iii. the supervisor (S) validates the use of the tool (2) by the operator (0) by means of a management interface (6); and iv. a tool control interface which allows the operator to carry out the test is provided to the terminal (4).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step ii) is carried out by means of a telephone network.

3. Computer system (1) for enabling an operator (0) to carry out a test of a component of a motor vehicle (C) carried out by means of a tool (2) of a remote test infrastructure (3) which is under the responsibility of a supervisor (S), characterized in that said system comprises a computer terminal (4) configured to enable the establishment of a connection with an access server (5) which provides an interface for viewing and selecting the tool to submit a request for use of the tool (2), a management interface (6) configured for validation by the supervisor (S) of use of the tool (2) by the operator (0), said test infrastructure (3) being configured to provide a control interface of the tool to the terminal as soon as the use of the tool (2) by the operator (0) is validated by the supervisor (S).

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