Structure for the research, development and / or maintenance of electronic boxes for motor vehicles

Abstract

The invention relates to a structure (1) for implementing research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles. Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Structure for the research, development and / or maintenance of electronic boxes for motor vehicles Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of tools which facilitate the implementation of research, development and maintenance activities relating to components of motor vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a structure for the implementation of research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles. State of the prior art

[0002] Until now, research, development and / or maintenance activities for electronic boxes in motor vehicles generally require the provision of a test vehicle which must be immobilized during the time during which these activities are carried out. As a result, personnel in charge of these activities may have to travel to sites where such vehicles are available, which has the consequence of slowing down and increasing the cost of implementing these activities.

[0003] In addition, these activities also require the collection of tools on a case-by-case basis that enable connection to the various electronic boxes of the vehicles involved in these activities. This involves logistical or storage constraints that also impact the speed and cost of implementing these activities.

[0004] Thus, the various constraints that are imposed today when implementing research, development and / or maintenance activities for electronic boxes in motor vehicles have the consequence of significantly increasing the manufacturing cost of vehicles. However, this is all the more damaging insofar as car manufacturers must carry out such activities on a recurring basis, particularly given the rapid development of computer hardware that is nowadays installed on board most vehicles. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to overcome these drawbacks. In particular, it aims to provide an alternative solution to enable the implementation of research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles, in particular by avoiding the need for a test vehicle to carry out such activities. In this way, the invention aims to facilitate the implementation of such activities in order to minimize the design time and manufacturing cost of vehicles.

[0006] In order to achieve these aims, the invention relates to a structure for implementing research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles, said structure comprising: • a tray mounted on a base, said tray comprising a free zone of a surface suitable for being able to place at least one electronic box for motor vehicles therein; • an interface for connecting said structure to a programming, diagnostic and / or testing software tool; • a power supply; and • at least one cable for establishing a communication channel between an electronic box for a motor vehicle and said interface.

[0007] According to a variant, said cable can be adapted to be connected to a CAN data bus and / or an Ethernet network.

[0008] According to another variant, said structure may comprise at least one connector connected to said interface and adapted to be connected to an on-board diagnostic system of a motor vehicle.

[0009] According to yet another variant, said structure may comprise an electronic control unit of a motor vehicle connected to said interface.

[0010] According to yet another variant, the height, width and / or length of said base may be adjustable.

[0011] According to yet another variant, said zone has a surface area suitable for being able to place at least three electronic boxes for a motor vehicle there.

[0012] According to yet another variant, said power supply can be connected to a fuse. Brief description of the figures

[0013] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on examining the detailed description below, and the appended figure, in which:

[0014] [Fig. 1] is a diagram of a structure for implementing research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles according to the invention. Detailed description of the invention

[0015] In [Fig.l] is schematically illustrated a structure 1 according to the invention intended for the implementation of research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles. It preferably takes the form of a table formed of a tray 2 mounted on a base 3. Preferably, the length of the base 3, its height and / or its width is (are) adjustable.

[0016] Advantageously, the plate 2 comprises a free zone 4 with a surface suitable for being able to deposit at least one electronic box for a motor vehicle there. Preferably, the surface of the free zone 4 is sufficient to be able to deposit at least three electronic boxes for a motor vehicle there, possibly five.

[0017] Also beneficially, the structure 1 according to the invention also comprises an interface 5 to be able to be connected to a programming, diagnostic and / or testing software tool, which is connected to a power supply 6, the latter preferably being connected to a thirty amp fuse 10, and at least one cable 7 connected to the interface 5 in order to be able to establish a communication channel between an electronic box for a motor vehicle and the interface 5. Preferably, the cable 7 is adapted to be connected to a CAN data bus and / or an Ethernet network.

[0018] Furthermore, the structure 1 according to the invention advantageously comprises a connector 8 connected to the interface 5 and adapted to be connected to an on-board diagnostic system of a motor vehicle (i.e. OBD). Thus, an operator can, if necessary, easily establish a connection between the structure 1 according to the invention and a vehicle parked nearby.

[0019] According to a particular embodiment, the structure 1 according to the invention also comprises an electronic control unit for a motor vehicle 9 which is connected to the interface 5. An operator thus possibly has a main component of a motor vehicle directly arranged on the structure 1 according to the invention, which possibly makes it possible to work on a secondary electronic box whose operation is at least partially controlled by the electronic control unit 9.

[0020] Consequently, thanks to the method and the device according to the invention described above, an alternative solution is provided to allow the implementation of research, development and / or maintenance activities of electronic boxes for motor vehicles, in particular by avoiding the need for a test vehicle for the accomplishment of such activities. By these means, the invention minimizes the design time and the manufacturing cost of the vehicles.

Claims

Claims

1. Structure (1) for implementing research, development and / or maintenance activities relating to electronic boxes for motor vehicles, characterized in that said structure comprises: • a tray (2) mounted on a base (3), said tray comprising an area (4) free of a surface suitable for being able to place at least one electronic box for motor vehicles thereon; • an interface (5) for connecting said structure to a programming, diagnostic and / or testing software tool; • a power supply (6); and • at least one cable (7) for establishing a communication channel between an electronic box for motor vehicles and said interface (5).

2. Structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said cable (7) is adapted to be connected to a CAN data bus and / or an Ethernet network.

3. Structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said structure comprises at least one connector (8) connected to said interface (5) and adapted to be connected to an on-board diagnostic system of a motor vehicle.

4. Structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said structure comprises an electronic control unit for a motor vehicle (9) connected to said interface (5).

5. Structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height, width and / or length of said base (3) is (are) adjustable.

6. Structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said zone (4) has a surface area suitable for being able to place at least three electronic boxes for a motor vehicle there.

7. Structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said power supply (6) is connected to a fuse (10).

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