Method for performing functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component and diagnostic system - Patent Application 20070122967

Abstract

To provide an improved method for performing functional diagnostics of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle during manufacture, which ensures efficient and reliable performance of the functional diagnostics. The invention relates to a method for performing a functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle (1) during production, characterized in that a diagnostic execution protocol (2) is generated by a first vehicle-external computing unit (RE_1) with machine-readable instructions for performing an at least semi-automated functional diagnosis of the vehicle component by an internal-vehicle computing unit (RI), the diagnostic execution protocol (2) is transmitted to the internal-vehicle computing unit (RI) of the vehicle (1) during production, the diagnostic execution protocol is executed by the internal-vehicle computing unit (RI), the internal-vehicle computing unit (RI) activates at least one vehicle component for checking a correct functional configuration of the at least one vehicle component, a response behavior of the at least one vehicle component is detected automatically by the internal-vehicle computing unit (RI) or with manual assistance by a person responsible for the production of the vehicle (1), and the detected response behavior is output to the first external-vehicle computing unit (RE_1) and / or to the second external-vehicle computing unit (RE_2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for performing a functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle during production, as well as to a diagnostic system for carrying out this method of the kind as defined in the preamble of claim 7. [Background technology]

[0002] Complex machines such as vehicles require many individual work steps to complete the assembly, where individual assembly steps may be performed incorrectly and / or incorrect components may be installed. For this reason, relevant vehicle functions must be checked for proper functioning before the vehicle is shipped. If an error occurs, measures can be taken to eliminate the error before the vehicle is shipped.

[0003] For example, before a vehicle is shipped, each computing unit or control unit installed in the vehicle is checked to see whether it has the correct software, particularly the latest version. Furthermore, sensors installed in the vehicle are calibrated. The vehicle inspection can be intended for individual function test procedures to be performed manually, partially assisted by a computer system, or fully automatically by a computer system. For this purpose, a corresponding computer system is typically connected to the computing unit of the vehicle via a cable by means of a so-called on-board diagnostic plug. The computer system outside the vehicle then activates the corresponding vehicle components to be checked or calibrated.

[0004] Planning, preparing and executing such function checks are associated with significant costs. First, it is necessary to define and document the process steps to be performed in vehicle diagnostics. Subsequently, the corresponding process steps must be transferred into program code, which must then be imported into a computer system. After that, the program code must be executed. During this process of converting the planned steps into program code that is used to control the vehicle components, so-called media discontinuities can occur, which can lead to errors. For example, a programmer can misunderstand the process steps and, accordingly, can include erroneous instructions in the program code. Furthermore, the computing system of the vehicle differs from the development system, which can lead to bugs occurring more frequently. For example, a diagnostic program can function flawlessly in a test environment, but behave improperly when executed in a vehicle.

[0005] The patent document EP 1 239 633 A1 discloses a method for manufacturing and testing functionality during manufacturing. The method describes centralized management of the execution of functional tests of vehicles or vehicle components during production by a central computing unit. For example, it is necessary to execute different functional tests at different production and / or testing stations for each different model variant. The respective associated process steps and the corresponding program code are then stored in the central computing unit for the different model variants and for the production and / or testing stations. The test data occurring during testing are likewise collected and evaluated centrally, which makes it possible to quickly and directly assign potentially occurring errors to the corresponding error sources. Furthermore, this simplifies the implementation of countermeasures for eliminating the corresponding errors.

[0006] From the document DE 10 02 04 13 A1 a method for the maintenance of motor vehicle control devices using mobile radio is known. The method aims to set up a communication connection based on mobile radio between a computing device external to the vehicle and a control device inside the vehicle, via which device data are exchanged between the computing device and the control device. The device data are configuration data for the control device, control device error messages and / or control device status messages. The computing device external to the vehicle serves as a central management mechanism for carrying out vehicle diagnostics. For example, the computing device transmits commands to the respective control device, which commands the control device to carry out self-tests that are defined on the basis of routines that are fixedly set and implemented in the respective control device.

[0007] Furthermore, US Pat. No. 6,399,433 discloses a measurement tool for performing measurement and inspection tasks on a configurable process. The measurement tool is set up to read a file containing a process description. The measurement tool converts the process description into a program execution routine and executes it. The file may have been created using a Business Process Modeling Notation editor.

[0008] Furthermore, from DE 10 200 03 133 A1 a method and a production facility for manufacturing motor vehicles are known, which provides for a voice input to be detected by a control device inside the vehicle and for a corresponding meaning to be assigned to the voice input, followed by a data set corresponding to this meaning being transmitted via an interface between the control device and an inspection device outside the vehicle to the inspection device for evaluation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] DE 10 2009 033 806(A1) [Patent Document 2] German Patent No. 10 2013 014 878(B3) [Patent Document 3] DE 10 2012 110 623(A1) [Patent Document 4] DE 10 2018 203 067(A1) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for performing a functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle during production, which method ensures an efficient and reliable execution of the functional diagnosis. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a method for performing a functional diagnosis having the features of claim 1 and a corresponding diagnostic system used therefor having the features of claim 7. Advantageous embodiments and developments are evident from the dependent claims.

[0012] The method of the present invention for performing a functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle under production is distinguished from methods belonging to the state of the art by the following method steps: - generating, by a first vehicle-external computing unit, a diagnostic execution protocol, the diagnostic execution protocol including machine-readable instructions for performing, by a vehicle-internal computing unit, at least a semi-automated functional diagnosis of a vehicle component; -Transmission of the diagnostic execution protocol to a computing unit inside the vehicle during production; - a diagnostic execution protocol is executed by a computing unit inside the vehicle, the computing unit inside the vehicle operates (controls) at least one vehicle component for checking the correct functioning of the at least one vehicle component, and a response behavior of the at least one vehicle component is detected automatically by the computing unit inside the vehicle or manually assisted by a person responsible for the manufacture of the vehicle; and The detected response behavior is output to a first vehicle-external computing unit and / or a second vehicle-external computing unit.

[0013] The method according to the invention provides that the computing unit for performing the functional diagnosis is transferred to the vehicle itself, in other words the vehicle performs the functional diagnosis autonomously, which allows a particularly efficient execution of the functional diagnosis. For example, the communication paths from the controlling computing unit to the operating components are shortened, which allows particularly fast calculation times and therefore shorter waiting times. This allows for efficient execution of time-critical calls. Furthermore, less computationally intensive resources (CPU load resources) are required for the execution of the functional diagnosis, since a single central computing system no longer has to operate multiple control units simultaneously for the execution of functional diagnosis for multiple vehicles.

[0014] The first vehicle-external computing unit can then be understood as a development system. The machine-readable instructions are program codes that can be executed by the vehicle-internal computing unit, which can then activate the vehicle components to be checked by itself in accordance with the diagnostic procedures to be performed. The corresponding diagnostic procedures can be performed and recorded by the vehicle-internal computing unit fully automatically or manually assisted by a person responsible for the production of the vehicle. For example, it may be necessary for a person to manually operate the vehicle in order to be able to fully perform a function test and / or to detect and record the responses caused by the activation of the vehicle components. In that case, the corresponding test results can be entered by the person at the vehicle itself or via the first or second vehicle-external computing unit. The second vehicle-external computing unit can be a computing system used in production. This can be, for example, a central production computer or an independent system, for example a computer system provided at a production station and / or at a testing station.

[0015] If an error is found during the function test, the diagnostic execution protocol can contain corresponding instructions for reacting to the error, for example re-executing individual calibration or test steps and / or post-processing steps that are correspondingly implemented by a computing unit in the vehicle. The corresponding instructions can then be part of a general diagnostic method or, as a supplement thereto, can be executed as a "standard response" for reacting to typical errors. For example, an individual diagnostic execution protocol can be generated for such a standard response, transmitted to the computing unit in the vehicle for storage and executed as required.

[0016] The instructions included in the diagnostic execution protocol can be executed sequentially and / or in parallel by the computing units inside the vehicle. For example, the diagnostics to be executed are sub-divided into "preparation", "main part" and "post-processing". Examples of preparation can be: establishing a communication connection between the computing units inside and / or outside the vehicle, performing authentication and / or authorization, establishing a so-called "session", etc. Examples of main part can be: actuating actuators, reading sensor data, reading error memory of the control device, adapting calibration parameters, etc. Examples of post-processing can be: closing the communication connection, writing result data, exposing result data to systems outside the vehicle, resetting the control device state, etc.

[0017] A preferred development of the method provides that the diagnostic execution protocol is generated by the first vehicle-external computing unit by applying a graphic specification language, the diagnostic execution protocol comprising a flow chart of diagnostic steps to be executed by the vehicle-internal computing unit, and the vehicle-external computing unit reads out machine-readable instructions corresponding to the diagnostic steps from an external data bank and incorporates them into the diagnostic execution protocol. The procedure for generating program code applicable to the vehicle-internal computing unit is thus efficiently structured from a pure concept, via a precise specification of how the process steps are to be executed and via the generation of the program code, to the final implementation and application by the vehicle-internal computing unit. In particular, media discontinuities can thereby be avoided, which significantly reduces the risk of errors. For example, the process steps to be executed in a functional diagnosis are graphically represented in a user-friendly and easily understandable manner by the graphic specification language and are directly transferred to machine-readable instructions, since the instructions corresponding to the respective diagnostic steps are automatically read out by the first vehicle-external computing unit from an external data bank. The external data bank can then be understood as a so-called code repository. The code repository implements the necessary machine-readable instructions for all possible steps that can be performed by a machine, thus eliminating the manual programming costs of programming the vehicle's internal computing units with the machine-readable instructions required to perform a particular diagnostic function.

[0018] When new vehicles, vehicle components, and / or vehicle features are developed by the vehicle manufacturer, new machine-readable instructions can be written by a programmer to a data bank external to the vehicle, i.e., to the code repository, which also allows functional diagnostics to be performed reliably with the new components. In the event of a bug, the corresponding existing machine-readable instructions in the data bank external to the vehicle can be updated and revised.

[0019] The diagnostic execution protocol thus describes not only the general idea of ​​the purely conceptual sequence of test steps to be performed in functional diagnostics, but also the general idea of ​​the program code that is used to operate the vehicle components by a computing unit inside the vehicle for this purpose.

[0020] The use of a graphic specification language leads in particular to a reduction in manual errors of the production personnel, who can for example see the inspection steps to be performed graphically displayed on any display device, for example a tablet and / or augmented reality glasses used in production, and can thus easily understand and comprehend the resulting work steps. In this way, the diagnostic execution protocol can be interpreted in an easily understandable way by both humans and machines.

[0021] In another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, the Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) is applied as the graphic specification language, which is a well-established graphic specification language in economic informatics and process management. Due to the clear association between the process steps to be executed and the corresponding program code, the time required for testing different software variations is reduced, which further improves the execution of functional diagnostics with regard to its efficiency.

[0022] Furthermore, another preferred embodiment of the method provides that the vehicle-internal computing unit is connected in a wired and / or wireless manner to a common communication network including a computing unit external to the vehicle, and that the vehicle-internal computing unit exchanges information indirectly with the vehicle-external computing unit via a communication server. The vehicle-external computing unit may be a first or a second vehicle-external computing unit. For example, the vehicle-internal computing unit may be connected in a cabled manner via an Ethernet cable or an on-board diagnostic cable to the corresponding vehicle-external computing unit. For wireless communication, WLAN and / or mobile radio, in particular with 5G or future mobile radio standards, are preferably applied. In particular, the application of WLAN and / or mobile radio with at least the mobile radio standard 5G allows data transmission at a relatively high data transmission rate. In particular, high data transmission rates for various applications are realized if the vehicle-internal computing unit is simultaneously connected in a wired and / or wireless manner to a common communication network including a computing unit external to the vehicle.

[0023] In general, it is also possible for the computing unit outside the vehicle to communicate directly with the computing unit inside the vehicle. For example, the computing unit outside the vehicle can be a tablet or desktop computer used by the person in charge of production, which is communicatively connected to the computing unit inside the vehicle in a wired or wireless manner. For example, the tablet of the person in charge can set up an ad-hoc WLAN, in which the computing unit inside the vehicle participates. In the event of unexpected results that require, for example, manual intervention by a person in charge, the person in charge can, for example, apply a graphic specification language on the tablet to generate a new diagnostic execution protocol and transmit it to the computing unit inside the vehicle for direct application. This allows a particularly fast reaction and adaptation of the process steps to be performed for the execution of functional diagnostics. Such a method can also be applied when developing machine-readable instructions to be stored in a data bank outside the vehicle from the corresponding process steps integrated in the flow chart.

[0024] By means of the communication server, central access to the central off-vehicle data bank of a large number of in-vehicle computing units is made possible across various production locations. For example, the off-vehicle data bank can be integrated in a tablet that is integrated in the production station and / or the inspection station. For example, the tablet can integrate the corresponding machine-readable instructions into the diagnostic execution protocol itself after the corresponding flow chart has been generated by the person in charge. In this case, there is a risk that outdated machine-readable instructions are read from the off-vehicle data bank in the tablet. By accessing the central off-vehicle data bank via the communication server, the correspondingly distributed off-vehicle data bank can be updated with updated program code.

[0025] Furthermore, another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention provides that the computing unit inside the vehicle activates an operating machine outside the vehicle to carry out at least one diagnostic step and / or to introduce measures if at least one vehicle component is hindered with respect to the correct functioning. Corresponding machine-readable instructions for activating the operating machine outside the vehicle are likewise integrated into the diagnostic execution protocol or into a further diagnostic execution protocol. This integration is preferably carried out (in an automated manner) depending on process steps of a flow chart defined in a graphic specification language. For example, the operating machine outside the vehicle can be a robot that is provided in a production station and / or a test station. The operation of the vehicle or the vehicle component can be carried out in a wide variety of ways, for example, the operating machine outside the vehicle can move the vehicle or the vehicle component, can check with sensors outside the vehicle, can add new components or can replace or remove already installed components. In this way, for example, after the actual functional diagnosis has been carried out, a post-processing of the vehicle or the vehicle component is possible. That is to say, the method according to the invention allows the computing unit inside the vehicle to operate the machines outside the vehicle that are used in production or testing by itself. In that case, a central computing unit for activating the external operating mechanism is not necessary, which also contributes to an increase in efficiency when performing functional diagnostics. The computing unit inside the vehicle can activate the external operating mechanism directly, for example via direct communication via WLAN, or indirectly via an external computing unit, such as a central factory server.

[0026] According to the invention, in a diagnostic system having a first external vehicle computing unit and a vehicle under production with an internal vehicle computing unit, the first external vehicle computing unit and the vehicle are set up (configured) for carrying out the method described above. For this purpose, the internal vehicle computing unit can electrically or electronically activate and monitor all relevant vehicle components. This allows time-critical diagnostic process steps to be carried out in a particularly resource-saving manner with relatively short waiting times. An efficient functional diagnostic process is thereby ensured.

[0027] A preferred development of the diagnostic system provides at least one second, vehicle-external computing unit, which is set up to receive information from the vehicle-internal computing unit and / or to be operated (controlled) by the vehicle-internal computing unit. The vehicle-internal computing unit transmits, for example, results of functional diagnostic tests to the second, vehicle-external computing unit, where the results are stored for evaluation. Depending on the evaluated results, measures can be implemented by the second, vehicle-external computing unit to eliminate errors. The vehicle-internal computing unit can also operate the second, vehicle-external computing unit. For example, the second, vehicle-external computing unit is a control device for an operating machine external to the vehicle.

[0028] The diagnostic system preferably includes a communication server, which has the function for exchanging information between the vehicle-internal computing unit and the first vehicle-external computing unit. This allows a centralized management of the vehicle-external data bank. For example, an engineer who is involved in planning the functional diagnostics does not have to be physically present in the factory in order to develop or implement a new functional diagnostic process. A newly generated corresponding diagnostic execution protocol can be transmitted via the communication server to the respective manufacturing station and / or inspection station during production and can be incorporated there into the respective vehicle-internal computing unit. In general, it is also possible that the above-mentioned diagnostic execution protocol is already pre-installed in the vehicle-internal computing unit before the corresponding vehicle-internal computing unit is assembled in the vehicle. This allows certain functional diagnostic checks to be performed even if no communication has been established between the vehicle-external computing unit and the vehicle-internal computing unit. The corresponding diagnostic results can be temporarily stored in the vehicle-internal computing unit and transmitted to the first and / or second vehicle-external computing unit as soon as a communication connection is established with the first and / or second vehicle-external computing unit.

[0029] Further preferred embodiments of the method and of the diagnostic system according to the invention for performing a functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle during production will become apparent from the exemplary embodiments described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the steps of the method according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle manufacturer's infrastructure utilized for vehicle manufacturing and development according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle manufacturer's infrastructure used for vehicle manufacturing and development according to a second embodiment; [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a production line. [Diagram 5]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing distributed manufacturing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The central idea of ​​the method according to the invention for performing a vehicle diagnostics of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle 1 during production is the automatic execution of a functional diagnostics by a computational unit RI inside the vehicle. The complete procedure of development of the process steps to be performed in the functional diagnostics, up to the generation of the program code, its implementation in the computational unit RI inside the vehicle and its execution, is preferably structured by application of a graphic specification language, preferably by application of the Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN).

[0032] An engineer 5 creates in the first vehicle-external computing unit RE_1 a flow chart of the diagnostic steps to be executed by the vehicle-internal computing unit RI in a graphic specification language. From there, a diagnostic execution protocol 2 is created. The diagnostic execution protocol 2 can be created in a graphic specification language and can then be converted into a metalanguage, for example XML. The first vehicle-external computing unit RE_1 then retrieves machine-readable instructions corresponding to the respective diagnostic steps from a vehicle-external data bank 3, also called code repository, and incorporates these into the diagnostic execution protocol 2. This takes place in method step 101. The vehicle-external data bank 3 can then be reserved (stored) in the first vehicle-external computing unit RE_1 and / or in a data memory of the network, for example in a central server.

[0033] The diagnostic protocol 2 is transmitted via the communication server RKOM, for example via a proxy server, to the vehicle manufacturer's factory 6 where the vehicle 1 is being manufactured. In the factory 6, the diagnostic execution protocol 2 is distributed to the corresponding in-vehicle computing units RI of the vehicle 1 to be checked. In method step 102, the diagnostic execution protocol 2 or the machine-readable instructions contained therein are executed by the in-vehicle computing units RI, which activate at least one vehicle component to be checked and detect and record the corresponding response behavior automatically or with the manual assistance of the person responsible for the manufacture of the vehicle 1. If the functional diagnosis is normal, as indicated by the check mark in FIG. 1, the vehicle 1 can be released for the next manufacturing process or for delivery to the dealer. If, on the other hand, the functional diagnosis is incorrect, as indicated by the lightning bolt in FIG. 1, further measures are introduced. The further measures can then also be described by instructions integrated into the diagnostic execution protocol 2 and executed or initiated by the in-vehicle computing units RI.

[0034] 2 and 3 are intended to again clearly show the infrastructure of a vehicle manufacturer that is used for the production and development of a vehicle. In FIG. 2, a number of first vehicle-external computing units RE_1 are shown, each of which contains its own vehicle-external data bank 3. In this case, the first vehicle-external computing units RE_1 can be, for example, a development PC of an engineer 5. Via such a PC, a diagnostic execution protocol 2 can be generated and transmitted via a communication server RKOM to the respective factory 6. The respective factory 6 can be provided with a communication relay 7, for example a WLAN router or a 5G modem, via which the communication server RKOM is connected to a common communication network including the vehicle-internal computing units RI. The corresponding transmission of the diagnostic execution protocol 2 to the vehicle-internal computing units RI is illustrated in FIG. 2 by a dotted line.

[0035] The computing unit RI inside the vehicle can also operate an external operating machine 4, such as for example an operating robot, which can for example move or otherwise operate parts of the vehicle. The external operating machine 4 can also include one or more sensors for checking the state of the vehicle 1 or vehicle components. Such sensors can for example be cameras, conductivity sensors, temperature sensors, force sensors, ultrasonic sensors, etc.

[0036] The control device of the external-vehicle operating machine 4 can then be referred to as a second external-vehicle computing unit RE_2. A further external-vehicle computing unit RE_2 can also be provided in the workshop 6, for example a central workshop server RE_2_Zentral. The central workshop server RE_2_Zentral can store and evaluate the results of the respective functional diagnostics generated by the internal-vehicle computing unit RI of the vehicle 1 to be manufactured and / or checked. For example, on the one hand, the internal-vehicle computing unit RI or the central workshop server RE_2_Zentral can activate the corresponding external-vehicle operating machine 4, which can automatically initiate measures to eliminate the error if there is one. A person can also be notified, who can initiate a manual error elimination.

[0037] Furthermore, the first vehicle-external computing unit RE_1 can also communicate indirectly with the vehicle-internal computing unit RI. By way of example, a tablet computer RE_2_Tab is shown, which can be used by the manufacturer of the vehicle 1 for interaction with the vehicle-internal computing unit RI. This allows a particularly short communication path between the first vehicle-external computing unit RE_1 and the vehicle-internal computing unit RI.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows a diagram similar to FIG. 2. Here, a central off-vehicle data bank 3.1 and possibly a central server RE_1_Zentral, indicated by dashed lines, are integrated into the computer network of a first off-vehicle computing unit RE_1. Developers can handle machine-readable instructions, i.e. code blocks, stored in the central off-vehicle data bank 3.1. The corresponding first off-vehicle computing unit RE_1, i.e. for example a developer PC, can then update the respective off-vehicle data bank 3 by reading out the central off-vehicle data bank 3.1. Some of the developer PCs may not even have an integrated off-vehicle data bank 3, but only need a direct connection to the central off-vehicle data bank 3.1.

[0039] It is also possible to manage the entire method by a central server RE_1_Central. For example, the results of the diagnostics transmitted by the in-vehicle computing units RI of the individual vehicles 1 can be stored and evaluated. This allows a central analysis of production-based data. For example, the advantages of a decentralized control of the execution of diagnostics can be combined with a centralized evaluation of the corresponding results.

[0040] In this way, for example, defective batches of individual components can be deduced and a particularly simply and systematic determination of the causes of errors can be carried out, which also makes it possible to determine process steps that have a high error rate, for example because sensor calibration takes too long.

[0041] 4 shows production stations and / or inspection stations 9 arranged in series to form a production line 8, in which individual production steps of the vehicle 1 or vehicle components can be carried out and / or functional diagnostics can be performed on the vehicle 1 or vehicle components. Each production station and / or inspection station 9 can have its own second extra-vehicle computing unit RE_2, e.g. a central computer which controls the machines used in the respective production station and / or inspection station 9. Each such machine, e.g. the extra-vehicle operating machine 4, can also include its own control device in the form of a second extra-vehicle computing unit RE_2.

[0042] Corresponding control commands can also be output from the central factory server RE_2_Zentral and transmitted, in particular via WLAN, 5G or future mobile radio standards in the factory 6, to the respective second external-vehicle computing unit RE_2. Data generated by the internal-vehicle computing unit RI as a function of the performed functional diagnostics can then be sent back correspondingly to the central factory server RE_2_Zentral for evaluation.

[0043] 5 shows an alternative or additional embodiment of the factory 6. For example, individual or all of the production and / or inspection stations 9 may be arranged decentralized. This allows for a flexible and efficient production and / or inspection of the vehicle 1 in accordance with the principles of Industry 4.0. For example, the vehicle 1 to be produced does not have to pass through the individual production and / or inspection stations 9 one after the other in a sequential manner, but can remain assigned to and / or be flexibly swapped between multiple production or inspection steps of a single production and / or inspection station 9, so that available capacity can be optimally utilized in terms of efficiency.

Claims

1. 1. A method for performing a functional diagnosis of at least one vehicle component of a vehicle (1) during production, comprising the steps of: A diagnostic execution protocol (2) is generated by a first vehicle-external computing unit (RE_1), the diagnostic execution protocol (2) including machine-readable instructions for performing, by a vehicle-internal computing unit (RI), at least a semi-automated functional diagnosis of a vehicle component; said diagnostic execution protocol (2) being transmitted to a computing unit (RI) within said vehicle (1) during production; said diagnostic execution protocol (2) being executed by a computing unit (RI) within said vehicle, said computing unit (RI) within said vehicle operating at least one vehicle component for checking the correct functioning of said at least one vehicle component, and a response behavior of said at least one vehicle component being detected automatically by said computing unit (RI) within said vehicle or manually assisted by a person responsible for the manufacture of the vehicle (1), The detected response behavior is output to the first vehicle-external computing unit (RE_1) and / or the second vehicle-external computing unit (RE_2). A method comprising:

2. said diagnostic execution protocol (2) being generated by said first external computing unit (RE_1) by applying a graphic specification language and comprising a flow chart of diagnostic steps to be executed by said internal computing unit (RI); The external computing unit (RE_1) reads out machine-readable instructions corresponding to the diagnostic procedure from an external data bank (3) and incorporates them into the diagnostic execution protocol (2).

2. The method of claim 1 .

3. The Business Process Modeling Notation is applied as the graphic specification language.

3. The method of claim 2.

4. The computing unit (RI) inside the vehicle is connected to a common communication network including computing units (RE_1, RE_2) outside the vehicle in a wired and / or wireless manner, and indirectly exchanges information with the computing units (RE_1, RE_2) outside the vehicle via a communication server (RKOM). The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The wireless communication is carried out by WLAN and / or mobile radio, in particular using 5G.

5. The method of claim 4.

6. The vehicle-internal computing unit (RI) activates an external operating machine (4) to carry out at least one diagnostic procedure and / or to introduce measures if at least one vehicle component is prevented from functioning properly. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A diagnostic system comprising a first external vehicle computing unit (RE_1) and a vehicle (1) under manufacture including an internal vehicle computing unit (RI), The first external vehicle computing unit (RE_1) and the vehicle (1) are set up to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A diagnostic system comprising:

8. at least one second external vehicle computing unit (RE_2), The second external-vehicle computing unit (RE_2) is set up to receive information from and / or operate on the internal-vehicle computing unit (RI). The diagnostic system according to claim 7.

9. A communication server (RKOM) is provided. The communication server (RKOM) is set up to exchange information between the vehicle internal computing unit (RI) and the first vehicle external computing unit (RE_1). The diagnostic system according to claim 7 or 8.

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