Inspection content determination device, determination method, and computer program

Abstract

To facilitate inspection on a vehicle in production.SOLUTION: A device for determining inspection content to be applied to a vehicle comprises: a storage unit that stores, for each combination of on-vehicle apparatuses that can be mounted on the vehicle, correspondence data that defines the type of inspection to be executed on the combination; and a control unit that performs processing to determine the content of the inspection on the basis of identification information of the on-vehicle apparatuses that have been mounted on the vehicle in the middle of a manufacturing process. The determination processing includes: first processing for specifying the combination from the identification information; and second processing for determining that the inspection content of the type corresponding to the combination searched from the correspondence data is the inspection content to be executed in the current process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, a method, and a computer program for determining test contents. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a gateway ECU inspection method for shortening inspection takt time and improving productivity. The inspection method of Patent Document 1 is a method for inspecting the communication functions of multiple gateway ECUs in a single inspection by connecting multiple gateway ECUs in series and comparing data transmitted from one end of the series connection with data received from the other end. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-228091 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One inspection method that can be performed on vehicles is to perform specified inspections using inspection equipment during the manufacturing process when some of the on-board equipment to be installed is connected (see ``Second inspection method'' in Figure 1). The above testing method has the problem that errors may occur if unconnected in-vehicle devices are tested, and therefore the testing contents for each process that targets connected in-vehicle devices must be manually selected.

[0005] In view of the above-described conventional problems, the present disclosure aims to facilitate inspection of vehicles during manufacturing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An apparatus according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an apparatus for determining inspection contents to be applied to a vehicle, and includes: a memory unit that stores correspondence data that defines the inspection contents to be performed for each combination of on-board equipment that may be installed in the vehicle; an acquisition unit that acquires identification information of on-board equipment already installed in the vehicle during the manufacturing process; and a control unit that performs a process for determining the inspection contents, wherein the determination process includes a first process that identifies the combination from the acquired identification information; and a second process that determines the inspection contents corresponding to the combination extracted from the correspondence data as the inspection contents to be performed in the current process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The present disclosure facilitates inspection of vehicles during production. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a variation of the vehicle inspection method. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a problem of the second inspection method. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inspection system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the inspection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inspection system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the inspection process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a first specific example of the inspection process. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a second specific example of the inspection process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <Summary of Embodiments of the Present Disclosure> The following provides an outline of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] (1) The device according to this embodiment is a device for determining the inspection content to be applied to a vehicle, and includes a memory unit that stores correspondence data defining the type of inspection to be performed for each combination of on-board equipment that may be installed in the vehicle, and a control unit that performs a process for determining the inspection content based on identification information of on-board equipment that has already been installed in the vehicle during the manufacturing process. The determination process includes a first process for identifying the combination from the identification information, and a second process for determining the type of inspection content corresponding to the combination found from the correspondence data as the inspection content to be performed in the current process.

[0011] According to the determination device of this embodiment, the control unit performs the process of determining the inspection details including the first process and the second process described above, so that the inspection details to be performed in the current process are automatically determined by the determination device. This eliminates the need for workers to select the inspection items to be carried out in each process, making it easier to inspect vehicles in the middle of production.

[0012] (2) In the determination device of (1) above, the determination device may be a server capable of communicating with the vehicle. In this case, since the server stores the correspondence data, it is not necessary to store the correspondence data, which would otherwise be relatively large, in the vehicle's ECU, which has the advantage of preventing the ECU's storage capacity from becoming overwhelmed.

[0013] (3) In the determination device of (1) above, the determination device may be an ECU mounted on the vehicle. In this case, the ECU's control unit performs the decision-making process, eliminating the need to communicate with the server, which has the advantage of preventing the test from becoming impossible due to a communication interruption.

[0014] (4) The method according to this embodiment is a determination method executed by the determination device described above in (1) to (3). Therefore, the determination method according to this embodiment has the same effects as the determination device described above in (1) to (3).

[0015] (5) The computer program according to this embodiment is a computer program for causing a computer to function as the determination device described above in (1) to (3). Therefore, the computer program according to this embodiment has the same effects as the determination device described above in (1) to (3).

[0016] <Details of the embodiment of the present invention> DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. At least some of the embodiments described below may be combined in any desired manner.

[0017] [Variations in testing methods] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing variations of the inspection method for a vehicle 100. In FIG. 1, a vehicle 100 includes an in-vehicle network 200. The in-vehicle network 200 includes an inspection device 10 and a plurality of in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 as communication nodes. The inspection device 10 is configured by, for example, a central ECU or a gateway, and the inspection device 10 and the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 communicate with each other in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol such as CAN (Controller Area Network) or Ethernet (registered trademark).

[0018] The in-vehicle devices 20, 30 include an ECU 20 and a load 30. Hereinafter, the ECU 20 may be referred to as "ECUi" (i is an identification number: i=1, 2 . . . ). The ECU 20 may be a control device that realizes various functions depending on the model and grade of the vehicle 100. The ECU 20 may include, for example, an engine ECU, a steering ECU, a brake ECU, a door lock ECU, an autonomous driving ECU, and a media ECU.

[0019] The load 30 is a collective term for sensors and actuators mounted on the vehicle 100. Hereinafter, the load 30 may be referred to as a "load j" (j is an identification number: j=1, 2 . . . ). The sensors include, for example, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a thermometer, a rotary encoder, a gyro sensor, etc. The actuators include, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, an electromagnetic valve, etc.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the inspection method to be performed on the vehicle 100 can be either a "first inspection method" or a "second inspection method." In the first inspection method, all of the on-board devices 20, 30 to be installed in the vehicle 100 are connected to the in-vehicle network 200 of the vehicle 100, and the inspection device 10 executes a predetermined inspection and outputs the inspection result 40. The first inspection method is the most common method performed in the vehicle 100 manufacturing factory.

[0021] The second inspection method is a method in which the inspection device 10 performs a predetermined inspection and outputs the inspection result 40 during a manufacturing process in which some of the on-board devices 20, 30 to be installed in the vehicle 100 are connected. The second inspection method is performed during the period from the current process to the next process. The second inspection method can detect abnormalities in the on-vehicle devices 20, 30 during the manufacturing process, and therefore has the advantage over the first inspection method of improving the efficiency of assembly of the vehicle 100 and allowing for flexible changes in the inspection content.

[0022] [Issues and solutions for the second inspection method] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a problem of the second inspection method. As shown in FIG. 2, the manufacturing process for the vehicle 100 includes the following steps A to C, and proceeds in the order of step A, step B, and step C. Process A: Process where connection of ECU1 is completed Process B: Process in which the connection between ECU 1 and load 2 is completed Step C: A step of completing the connections of ECU1, ECU2, load1, and load2.

[0023] Since there is a possibility of errors occurring if unconnected in-vehicle devices 20, 30 (devices indicated by dashed lines in Figure 2) are subject to testing, the second testing method requires the adoption of tests A, B, and C that target connected in-vehicle devices 20, 30 in each of steps A, B, and C. Specifically, after process A, it is necessary to perform test A related to ECU1 to obtain test result 40A, and after process B, it is necessary to perform test B related to ECU1 and load 2 to obtain test result 40B.

[0024] Similarly, after step C, it is necessary to perform test C relating to ECU1, ECU2, load 1 and load 2 to obtain test result 40C. Therefore, in the case of the second inspection method, there is a problem that the selection of the inspection contents is time-consuming because the worker needs to decide the contents of the inspections A, B, and C for each of the processes A, B, and C. In addition, if there is a change in the on-board devices 20 and 30 connected in each of the processes A, B, and C, or if an abnormality is found in an upstream inspection, the worker needs to respond to the change in the inspection contents.

[0025] In this embodiment, in order to solve the above problem, correspondence data 70 is created in advance for each combination of on-board equipment 20, 30 that can be installed in vehicle 100, defining the contents of tests A, B, and C to be performed for that combination, and the contents of tests A, B, and C to be performed are automatically determined based on the correspondence data 70 and the combination of on-board equipment 20, 30 that is already installed. This has the advantage that the inspection of the vehicle 100 becomes easier because the worker does not need to decide the contents of the inspections A, B, and C.

[0026] [Inspection system of the first embodiment] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the inspection system according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection system of the first embodiment includes an inspection device 10 and a server 50 capable of wireless communication with the inspection device 10.

[0027] The inspection device 10 is, for example, a central ECU mounted on a vehicle 100. The inspection device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The control unit 11 is an arithmetic processing device including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a volatile memory. The control unit 11 reads a computer program stored in the storage unit 12 into the memory and executes inspection processing of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30. The control unit 11 may include an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or the like.

[0028] The storage unit 12 is a storage device including at least one nonvolatile memory (recording medium) of a hard disk drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 12 stores a computer program for implementing the above-mentioned inspection process, data required for executing the program, and the like.

[0029] The communication unit 13 is a communication interface connected to the in-vehicle network 200 via a CAN bus, a LAN cable, or the like. When the inspection device 10 itself performs wireless communication with the server 50, the communication unit 13 also includes a communication interface for performing wireless communication with an external device.

[0030] The server 50 is, for example, a server operated by a vehicle manufacturer. The server 50 may be either an on-premise server or a cloud server. The server 50 is configured by a computer including a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, and a communication unit 53. The control unit 51 is an arithmetic processing unit including a CPU and a volatile memory. The control unit 51 reads a computer program stored in the storage unit 52 into the memory and executes a process for determining the inspection contents. The control unit 51 may include an FPGA or the like.

[0031] The storage unit 52 is a storage device that includes at least one nonvolatile memory (recording medium) of an HDD and an SSD. The storage unit 52 stores a computer program for implementing the above-mentioned determination process, correspondence data 70 (described later) required for executing the program, and the like.

[0032] The communication unit 53 is a communication interface that can be connected to a public communication network (not shown) such as the Internet. The communication unit 53 is capable of wireless communication with a TCU (Telematics Control Unit) mounted on the vehicle 100 or the inspection device 10 via a mobile communication system such as LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 5G.

[0033] Correspondence data 70 is pre-stored in the storage unit 52 of the server 50. The correspondence data 70 is data in which a correspondence relationship between a combination of the on-board devices 20 and 30 in the vehicle 100 and an inspection type (A, B, C, D) is pre-defined. For example, the correspondence data 70 in Fig. 3 defines the following correspondence relationship: If the connected devices are "ECU1, ECU2, ECU3" → Inspection A If the connected device is "ECU1" → Inspection B If the connected device is "ECU1, Load2" → Inspection C If the connected devices are "ECU2, ECU3, Load 2" → Inspection D

[0034] The control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 has a function of creating lists 60A and 60B of connected in-vehicle devices 20 and 30. The lists 60A and 60B are data in which the identification numbers i and j of ECU i or load j are written in a predetermined data format. The control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 creates the above-mentioned lists 60A and 60B by, for example, broadcasting a communication frame for alive monitoring to the in-vehicle network 200 and storing the identification numbers i and j that respond in the memory unit 12.

[0035] The control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 transmits the created lists 60A, 60B to the server 50, and the control unit 51 of the server 50 determines the type of inspection (A, B, C, D) required for the current vehicle 100 based on the received lists 60A, 60B and corresponding data 70. Thereafter, the control unit 51 of the server 50 notifies the inspection device 10 of the determined inspection type (A, B, C, D), and the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 performs the inspection of the type notified by the server 50 on the vehicle 100 in the current process.

[0036] 3, for example, the identification information (e.g., identification number i) of "ECU1" is written in the list 60A of process A. Therefore, the control unit 51 of the server 50 determines that the inspection type required for the vehicle 100 is inspection B, and notifies the inspection device 10 of the contents of inspection B. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 performs inspection B on the vehicle 100 that has completed the process A, and outputs the inspection result 40B.

[0037] 3, the list 60B for process B includes identification information (e.g., identification numbers i and j) for "ECU1" and "load 2." Therefore, the control unit 51 of the server 50 determines that the inspection type required for the vehicle 100 is inspection C, and notifies the inspection device 10 of the contents of inspection C. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 performs an inspection C on the vehicle 100 that has completed the process B, and outputs an inspection result 40C.

[0038] [Inspection process of the first embodiment] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the inspection process according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, when the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 detects the current connection status of the on-board devices 20, 30 (step S11), it creates lists 60A, 60B of the connected on-board devices 20, 30 and transmits them to the server 50 (step S12).

[0039] Next, the server 50 searches for executable test types (A, B, C, D) based on the correspondence data 70 (step S13). Specifically, the server 50 searches the correspondence data 70 for an inspection type (A, B, C, D) that matches the combination of the on-board devices 20, 30 listed in the lists 60A, 60B received from the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100.

[0040] For example, if the combination of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 written in the list 60A is "ECU1," the type of test hit in step S14 will be "Test B." Next, the server 50 determines whether an executable test type is found (step S14). If the determination result in step S14 is positive, the server 50 transmits the test software of the found type (test B) to the test device 10 of the vehicle 100 (step S15).

[0041] The inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 executes the inspection software received from the server 50 (step S16), uploads the inspection results to the server (step S17), and notifies the user of the inspection results (step S18). If the determination result in step S14 is negative, the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 notifies the user that the inspection will not be performed (step S19). The notification to the user is, for example, by transmitting predetermined information to a communication terminal managed by an operator.

[0042] [Inspection system according to the second embodiment] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an inspection system according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the inspection system of the second embodiment does not include a server 50 and is composed of only an inspection device 10.

[0043] The inspection device 10 is, for example, a central ECU mounted on a vehicle 100. The inspection device 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a communication unit 13. The device configurations and functions of the control unit 11, storage unit 12, and communication unit 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment (FIG. 3), but differ in the following respects.

[0044] The storage unit 12 of the inspection device 10 stores a computer program for implementing the inspection process, as well as the correspondence data 70 and a computer program for implementing the process for determining the inspection contents. The control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 executes a process for determining the inspection contents using the correspondence data 70, and executes the inspection contents that it has determined.

[0045] In the second embodiment, the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 also creates the above-mentioned lists 60A and 60B by, for example, broadcasting a communication frame for alive monitoring to the in-vehicle network 200 and storing the identification numbers i and j that respond in the memory unit 12. The control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 determines the type of inspection (A, B, C, D) required for the vehicle 100 at the current time based on the created lists 60A and 60B and the correspondence data 70.

[0046] 5, for example, the identification information of "ECU1" is written in the list 60A of the process A. Therefore, the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 determines that the inspection type required for the vehicle 100 is inspection B. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 performs inspection B on the vehicle 100 that has completed the process A, and outputs the inspection result 40B.

[0047] 5, the identification information of "ECU1" and "load 2" is written in list 60B of process B. Therefore, control unit 11 of inspection device 10 determines that the inspection type required for vehicle 100 is inspection C. Furthermore, the control unit 11 of the inspection device 10 performs an inspection C on the vehicle 100 that has completed the process B, and outputs an inspection result 40C.

[0048] [Inspection process of the second embodiment] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the inspection process according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, when the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 detects the current connection state of the on-board devices 20, 30 (step S21), it creates lists 60A, 60B of the connected on-board devices 20, 30 (step S22).

[0049] Next, the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 searches for executable inspection types (A, B, C, D) based on the correspondence data 70 (step S23). Specifically, the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 searches the correspondence data 70 for an inspection type (A, B, C, D) that matches the combination of the on-board devices 20, 30 written in the created lists 60A, 60B.

[0050] For example, if the combination of the in-vehicle devices 20 and 30 written in the list 60A is a combination of "ECU1" and "Load 2", the type of test hit in step S24 will be "Test A". Next, the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 determines whether or not an executable inspection type has been found (step S24).

[0051] If the determination result in step S24 is positive, the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 executes the inspection software of the hit type (inspection A) (step S25), and notifies the user of the inspection result (step S26). If the determination result in step S24 is negative, the inspection device 10 of the vehicle 100 notifies the user that the inspection will not be performed (step S27). The notification to the user is, for example, by transmitting predetermined information to a communication terminal managed by the worker.

[0052] [First specific example of inspection processing] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a first specific example of the inspection process. 7, the inspection device 10 is a "seat ECU," and the in-vehicle devices to be inspected are a "navigation ECU," a "thermistor," and a "heater." The connection states upon completion of each of steps A, B, and C are as follows:

[0053] Step A: Connect the navigation ECU Step B: Connect the navigation ECU and heater Step C: Connect the navigation ECU, heater, and thermistor

[0054] In the first specific example of FIG. 7, the following two patterns are exemplified as test transition patterns. Pattern 1: Test A → Test B → Test C Pattern 2: Test A → Test D → Test E Pattern 1 is a transition pattern when the test A is passed. If the test A is passed, test B is performed in process B, which tests the navigation ECU and heater.

[0055] Pattern 2 is a transition pattern when it is determined that the navigation ECU is not connected by inspection A. If inspection A determines that the navigation ECU is not connected, inspection D is performed in the subsequent process B, which inspects the heater. In this way, according to the inspection process of this embodiment, the type of inspection to be performed in the subsequent steps B and C can be changed depending on the result of inspection A.

[0056] [Second specific example of inspection processing] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a second specific example of the inspection process. 8, the inspection device 10 is an "ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems)-ECU," and the in-vehicle devices to be inspected are a "navigation ECU," a "sensor," and a "camera." The connection states upon completion of each of steps A, B, and C are as follows:

[0057] Step A: Connect the brake ECU Step B: Connect the brake ECU and camera Process C: Connect the brake ECU, camera, and sensor

[0058] In the second specific example of FIG. 8, the following two patterns are exemplified as test transition patterns. Pattern 1: Test A → Test B → Test C Pattern 2: Test A → Test B → Test D Pattern 1 is a transition pattern when Inspection A and Inspection B are passed. If Inspection A and Inspection B are passed, Inspection C is performed in Process C, which inspects the navigation ECU, camera, and sensor.

[0059] Pattern 2 is a transition pattern when it is determined that the camera is not connected by inspection B. If inspection B determines that the camera is not connected, inspection D is performed in the subsequent process C, which inspects the brake ECU and sensors. In this way, according to the inspection process of this embodiment, the type of inspection to be performed in the subsequent step C can be changed depending on the result of inspection B.

[0060] [Other Modifications] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes all modifications within the scope of equivalents to the configurations described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 10 Inspection device (device for determining inspection contents) 11 Control section 12 Storage section 13 Communications Department 20 ECU (vehicle equipment) 30 Load (vehicle equipment) 40 Test Results 40A Test Results 40B Test Results 40C Test Results 50 Server (device for determining test contents) 51 Control section 52 Storage section 53 Communications Department 60A List 60B List 70 Supported Data 100 vehicles 200 In-Vehicle Network

Claims

1. A device for determining inspection content to be applied to a vehicle, a storage unit that stores correspondence data that defines the type of inspection to be performed for each combination of on-board devices that can be installed in the vehicle; a control unit that determines the inspection content based on identification information of on-board devices already installed in the vehicle during the manufacturing process, The determination process includes: a first process of identifying the combination from the identification information; and a second process of determining the type of inspection content corresponding to the combination found from the correspondence data as the inspection content to be performed in the current process.

2. The determination device The inspection content determination device according to claim 1 , which is a server capable of communicating with the vehicle.

3. The determination device The inspection content determining device according to claim 1 , wherein the inspection content determining device is an ECU mounted on the vehicle.

4. 1. A method for determining inspection content to be applied to a vehicle, comprising: a step in which the computer stores correspondence data that defines the type of inspection to be performed for each combination of on-board devices that can be installed in the vehicle; and a step of determining the inspection contents by the computer based on identification information of on-board equipment already installed in the vehicle during the manufacturing process, The determination process includes: a first process of identifying the combination from the acquired identification information; a second process of determining the type of inspection content corresponding to the combination searched from the correspondence data as the inspection content to be performed in the current process.

5. A computer program for causing a computer to function as a device for determining inspection contents to be applied to a vehicle, comprising: The computer a storage unit that stores correspondence data that defines the type of inspection to be performed for each combination of on-board devices that can be installed in the vehicle; and a control unit that determines the inspection content based on identification information of the on-board equipment already installed in the vehicle during the manufacturing process; The determination process includes: a first process of identifying the combination from the acquired identification information; a second process of determining the type of inspection content corresponding to the combination extracted from the correspondence data as the inspection content to be performed in the current process.

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