Test system, control device, test method, and program for test system

Abstract

This test system is for testing a device under test that is a vehicle or a portion thereof and comprises a sensor and an electronic control device having a vehicle diagnosis function for acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a portion thereof. The test system comprises: an imitation signal generation device that is provided between the wiring of the sensor and the electronic control device and outputs, to the electronic control device, an imitation signal imitating the output signal from the sensor; a control unit for controlling the imitation signal generation device so as to cause the same to generate an imitation signal; and a storage unit for storing, in association with each other, the generated imitation signal and the output signal from the electronic control device when the imitation signal is input.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a test system, a control device, a test method, and a program for a test system for an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnostic function.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an electronic control unit provided in a vehicle is equipped with a vehicle diagnostic function such as an OBD (On-board diagnostics) that acquires output signals from hundreds of sensors attached to the vehicle and diagnoses vehicle failures and the like. Before putting the manufactured vehicle on the market, it is required to conduct a test to verify whether the vehicle diagnostic function provided in the electronic control unit works properly (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this test, a simulation signal generator is provided between the wiring of the electronic control unit and each sensor to block the output signal from each sensor or convert the output signal from each sensor into an abnormal value to generate a simulation signal simulating an abnormal state of the vehicle. Conventionally, when conducting a test, the tester drives the test vehicle and runs it in a predetermined driving pattern, and operates the simulation signal generator to block the output signal of each sensor, etc., to check (for example, whether the alarm operates properly, etc.) whether the vehicle diagnostic function works properly and record it.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0004]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described conventional test, the tester has to simultaneously drive the test vehicle, generate and record a simulated signal by operating the simulated signal generator, and furthermore, perform such operations a huge number of times for each sensor. Therefore, the tester is required to have advanced skills and know-how.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the main object is to enable a test for verifying the vehicle diagnosis function provided in an electronic control unit to be easily performed without requiring advanced skills and know-how.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] That is, the test system according to the present invention tests a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, the specimen comprising a sensor and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function that acquires an output signal from the sensor and diagnoses the vehicle or a part thereof, and is provided between the wirings of the sensor and the electronic control unit, and outputs a simulated signal simulating the output signal from the sensor to the electronic control unit; a control unit that controls the simulated signal generator to generate a simulated signal; and a storage unit that stores the generated simulated signal in association with the output signal of the electronic control unit when the simulated signal is input.

[0008] With this configuration, the control unit controls the simulated signal generator to generate a simulated signal, and stores the generated simulated signal in association with the output signal of the electronic control unit at that time in the storage unit. Thus, the generation operation of the simulated signal and the recording operation of the output signal of the electronic control unit at that time, which were conventionally manually performed by the tester while driving the vehicle, can be automated using a computer. As a result, it is possible to easily perform a test for verifying a vehicle diagnosis function such as OBD provided in the electronic control unit without requiring advanced skills and know-how.

[0009] Note that the "analog signal" referred to in this specification means a signal simulating the normal state of the sensor, a signal simulating the abnormal state of the sensor, and a signal simulating the disconnection of the sensor. Also, the "wiring" is a concept including not only wired communication but also wireless communication.

[0010] As an aspect to make the effects of the present invention more remarkable, the analog signal generator is provided between the wirings of a plurality of the sensors and the electronic control unit, and the control unit controls the analog signal generator to selectively cut off the output signals from a plurality of the sensors, or selectively output to the electronic control unit an abnormal simulation signal simulating the abnormality of a plurality of the sensors. In this way, it is possible to automatically cut off the output signals output from a plurality of sensors to the electronic control unit or the like to generate an analog signal, so that a test that requires switching signals from a plurality of sensors can be performed more easily.

[0011] It is preferable that the test system further stores, in association, behavior information indicating the behavior of the test specimen when the analog signal is input in the storage unit. In this way, in the test, it is possible to automatically record the behaviors of components such as an O2 sensor and a throttle sensor as defined by laws and regulations, etc., and further promote the automation of the test.

[0012] To perform the test system on a bench, the test specimen is one equipped with an engine or a motor of a vehicle, the test system further includes a driving test device that drives the engine or the motor to perform a test on the test specimen, and the control unit is configured to generate the analog signal while driving the engine or the motor by the driving test device.

[0013] It is preferable that the test specimen is a vehicle, the driving test device is a chassis dynamometer that performs a running test on the test specimen, and the storage unit stores, as the behavior information, information indicating the running state of the test specimen when the analog signal is input. By doing so, in the test, driving conditions such as engine speed, vehicle speed, and laboratory temperature, which are defined by laws and regulations, can be automatically recorded, and the automation of the test can be further enhanced.

[0014] Preferably, the test system further includes an autonomous driving robot for driving the test specimen, and the control unit is configured to output the analog signal to the electronic control unit during the driving of the test specimen by the autonomous driving robot. By doing so, since the test specimen is driven by the autonomous driving robot in conjunction with the test, the driving operation can be automated and the test can be performed more easily.

[0015] When an analog signal is input to the electronic control unit, depending on the type of sensor, the control of the engine by the electronic control unit may change. That is, in this case, the electronic control unit changes the control of the engine so as not to deteriorate the state of the vehicle according to the diagnosed result (for example, the type of failure). Therefore, the test system is such that the electronic control unit has a function of diagnosing the failure of the vehicle as the vehicle diagnosis function, a control map storage unit that stores a plurality of control maps for controlling the autonomous driving robot, and an autonomous driving robot control unit that controls the autonomous driving robot with reference to the control map stored in the control map storage unit. It is preferable that the test system further includes a failure type determination unit that receives the output signal of the electronic control unit and determines the type of failure in the test specimen, and the autonomous driving robot control unit is configured to switch the control map to be referred to according to the type of failure determined by the failure type determination unit. By doing so, since the control map for controlling the autonomous driving robot is switched according to the type of failure in the test specimen, the driving by the autonomous driving robot can be made to correspond to the change in the engine control by the electronic control unit. Here, the control map refers to, for example, data indicating the relationship between the accelerator opening of the vehicle and the vehicle speed and acceleration.

[0016] In the test, some test institutions need to simultaneously measure the exhaust gas from the test specimen. Therefore, the test system further includes an exhaust gas analyzer for analyzing the exhaust gas discharged from the test specimen, and it is preferable that the storage unit stores, as the behavior information, information indicating the analysis result of the exhaust gas analyzer when a simulation signal is input. In this way, since the analysis result of the exhaust gas analyzer is automatically recorded, the automation of the test can be further enhanced.

[0017] To enable easy confirmation of the test results later, it is preferable that the storage unit stores the generated simulation signal and the output signal of the electronic control device when the simulation signal is input in time series.

[0018] To automatically output the test results after the test is completed, it is preferable that the test system further includes a form output unit that outputs a form indicating the test results including the simulation signal stored in the storage unit and the output signal of the electronic control device associated with the simulation signal.

[0019] The test system further includes a test management unit for managing the schedule of the test for the electronic control device, and it is preferable that the test management unit outputs a command signal to the control unit according to the schedule and controls the test for the electronic control device to be automatically performed as scheduled. In this way, if the operator inputs the test schedule to the test management unit in advance, the test can be automatically performed by the test management unit without the operator operating each controlled device himself / herself. Thereby, the automation of the test can be further enhanced and it can be easily performed.

[0020] The test system further includes an analysis result diagnosis unit for acquiring and diagnosing the analysis result of the exhaust gas analyzer in real time, and it is preferable that the test management unit interrupts the test according to the diagnosis result of the analysis result diagnosis unit. The test system is also used to determine the threshold for failure type determination by the failure diagnosis function at the development compliance stage of the electronic control unit. The determination of the threshold for failure type determination is performed, for example, by gradually increasing the value of the analog signal output to the electronic control unit. The determined threshold is premised on being in a range such that the amount and concentration of the exhaust gas discharged from the vehicle are below the predetermined upper limit values legally defined. Therefore, by having the above configuration, when the amount and concentration of the exhaust gas analyzed by the exhaust gas analyzer exceed the predetermined values, for example, the test item being performed can be interrupted and automatically shifted to the next test item, and the time for the development compliance test can be shortened.

[0021] The control device of the present invention is also for testing a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, and includes a sensor and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function that acquires an output signal from the sensor and diagnoses the vehicle or a part thereof. Between the wiring of the sensor and the electronic control unit, it is characterized by including a simulation signal generation control unit that outputs a simulation signal simulating the output signal from the sensor, and a storage unit that stores the generated simulation signal in association with the output signal of the electronic control unit when the simulation signal is input.

[0022] The test method of the present invention is also a method for testing a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, and includes a sensor and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function that acquires an output signal from the sensor and diagnoses the vehicle or a part thereof. A simulation signal generator that is provided between the wiring of the sensor and the electronic control unit and outputs a simulation signal simulating the output signal from the sensor to the electronic control unit is controlled by a control device to generate a simulation signal, and the generated simulation signal is stored in association with the output signal of the electronic control unit when the simulation signal is input.

[0023] The program for the test system of the present invention is a program for a test system that tests a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, the specimen including a sensor and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function for acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a part thereof. The program causes a computer to function as a simulation signal generator that is provided between the wirings of the sensor and the electronic control unit and outputs a simulation signal simulating the output signal from the sensor to the electronic control unit, a control unit that controls the simulation signal generator to generate a simulation signal, and a storage unit that associates and stores the generated simulation signal and the output signal of the electronic control unit when the simulation signal is input.

[0024] According to the control device, test method, and program for the test system of the present invention as described above, the same operational effects as those of the test system of the present invention described above can be achieved.

Advantages of the Invention

[0025] According to the present invention configured as described above, a test for verifying the vehicle diagnosis function included in the electronic control unit can be easily performed without requiring advanced skills or know-how.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Description of Reference Numerals

[0027] 100... Test system 1... Vehicle 11... Sensor 12 ··· Electronic control device 2 ··· Analog signal generator 54 ··· Analog signal generation control unit (control unit) 56 ··· Test result memory unit (memory unit)

Embodiment for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] Hereinafter, a test system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] The test system 100 of this embodiment causes the vehicle 1, which is the specimen, to travel in a predetermined driving pattern in a test chamber. In that driving state, a pseudo-abnormal state is generated in the vehicle 1 by cutting off the signals of a plurality of sensors 11 provided in the vehicle 1, etc., and it is for verifying whether the vehicle diagnosis function (for example, OBD, On-board diagnostics, in-vehicle diagnostic device) provided in the electronic control device 12 (for example, ECU: engine control unit, etc.) mounted on the vehicle 1 works properly. Specifically, the test system 100 of this embodiment is configured to verify whether the failure diagnosis function for diagnosing vehicle failures, which is a vehicle diagnosis function provided in the electronic control device 12, works properly. As the sensors 11 provided in the vehicle, for example, an O2 sensor, a water temperature sensor, an intake air temperature sensor, a throttle sensor, an intake air pressure sensor, an air flow sensor, a vehicle speed sensor, a crank angle sensor, a cam angle sensor, an air conditioning system, or sensors used for driving assistance or autonomous driving, etc. can be mentioned, but it is not limited to this.

[0030] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, this test system 100 includes a driving test device 2 that drives the engine of the vehicle 1 to perform a driving test, an exhaust gas analysis device 3 that collects and analyzes the exhaust gas discharged from the vehicle 1, an analog signal generator 4 that generates an analog signal simulating the output signal from the sensor, and a control device 5 that controls each device.

[0031] The driving test apparatus 2 of this embodiment is for conducting a running test on the vehicle 1, and specifically is a chassis dynamometer. This chassis dynamometer 2 is, for example, of a two-axis type, and includes rollers 21 on which the wheels of the vehicle 1 are placed, and a motor (not shown) connected to the rollers 21. The motor is configured to apply a running load similar to that on the road to the vehicle 1 based on a predetermined control signal transmitted from the control device 5.

[0032] The test system 100 of this embodiment further includes an autonomous driving robot 6 for conducting a driving test on the vehicle 1 on the chassis dynamometer 2. This autonomous driving robot 6 is, for example, installed in the driver's seat of the vehicle 1, and includes a plurality of actuators for operating the accelerator pedal, brake pedal, clutch pedal (only for MT), shift lever, ignition key, etc. of the vehicle 1 respectively. The autonomous driving robot 6 is configured such that each actuator operates based on a predetermined control signal transmitted from the control device 5 to autonomously drive the vehicle 1.

[0033] The exhaust gas analyzer 3 is equipped with a plurality of gas analyzers with different measurement principles, and can continuously measure each component such as HC, NO X , CO, or CO2 in the engine exhaust gas separately. In this embodiment, by combining with an exhaust gas constant volume sampling device (not shown) that dilutes the exhaust gas with air and samples the diluted exhaust gas as a sample gas in a certain volume, it is configured to be able to perform weight measurement of CO, HC, or NO per unit travel distance.

[0034] The analog signal generator 4 is connected by a connector 43 between the wiring of the sensor 11 and the electronic control unit 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, this analog signal generator 4 includes an analog signal generation circuit 41 connected in series to the sensor 11 and the electronic control unit 12, and a circuit control unit 42 for controlling this analog signal generation circuit 41.

[0035] This analog signal generation circuit 41 includes a cutoff circuit section 411 for cutting off the output signal from the sensor 11 to the electronic control unit 12, and an abnormal simulation signal generation circuit section 412 for outputting an abnormal simulation signal simulating the abnormality of the sensor 11 to the electronic control unit 12 in place of the output signal from the sensor 11. The cutoff circuit section 411 is configured to be able to cut off the output signal from the sensor 11 to the electronic control unit 12 by opening and closing a cutoff switch. The abnormal simulation signal generation circuit section 412 is configured to convert the output signal from the sensor 11 into a signal with a behavior different from the normal state and output it to the electronic control unit 12. For example, increasing, decreasing, or making wavy the output signal from the sensor 11 can be mentioned.

[0036] The circuit control unit 42 is a dedicated or general-purpose computer including a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, an A / D converter, etc. And based on a predetermined program stored in the internal memory, it controls the analog signal generation circuit 41 and is configured to switch whether to output the output signal of the sensor 11 as it is to the electronic control unit 12, cut off the output signal of the sensor 11, or output an abnormal simulation signal to the electronic control unit 12.

[0037] The control device 5 is a dedicated or general-purpose computer including a CPU, an internal memory, an input / output interface, an A / D converter, etc. And based on a predetermined program stored in the internal memory, this control device 5, by the CPU and peripheral devices cooperating, functions at least as a drive test device control unit 51, an automatic driving robot control unit 53, a control map storage unit 531, and an exhaust gas analysis device control unit 52 as shown in FIG. 3.

[0038] The drive test device control unit 51 transmits a predetermined control signal to the motor of the chassis dynamometer 2 so as to make the vehicle 1 placed on the chassis dynamometer 2 travel in a predetermined driving mode.

[0039] The automatic driving robot control unit 53 refers to the control map stored in the control map storage unit 531, transmits a control signal to each actuator of the automatic driving robot 6, and automatically drives the vehicle 1.

[0040] The control map storage unit 531 stores a plurality of different control maps for the control of the automatic driving robot 6. This control map is data indicating the relevance between various different accelerator openings of the vehicle 1, vehicle speed, and acceleration, and is calculated in advance by learning driving. Note that the functions of the automatic driving robot control unit 53 and the control map storage unit 531 may be provided in the automatic driving robot 6 itself.

[0041] The exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52 transmits a control signal to the exhaust gas analyzer 3 to control the start and end of the measurement of engine exhaust gas, the execution of the purge operation, and the like.

[0042] Thus, in order to enable the test system 100 of this embodiment to perform tests easily without requiring advanced skills or know-how, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device 5 is configured to further function as a test management unit 50, a simulation signal generation control unit 54 (the control unit in the claims), a data management unit 55, a test result storage unit 56 (the storage unit in the claims), and a form output unit 57.

[0043] The test management unit 50 manages the test schedule. Specifically, the test management unit 50 stores the test schedule set by the operator's input. This test schedule includes the execution order of a plurality of test items included in the test and the operations of each test device in each test item. Then, based on the stored test schedule, the test management unit 50 outputs command signals to the drive test device control unit 51, the exhaust gas analysis device control unit 52, the automatic driving robot control unit 53, and the analog signal generation control unit 54, and controls each device so that each test item of the test is automatically performed according to the set schedule (that is, the batch test is automatically performed). Note that the test management unit 50 is configured to accept input from the operator during the execution of the test and add test items to the managed test schedule.

[0044] And this analog signal generation control unit 54 controls the analog signal generation device 4 to generate an analog signal. By providing the test system 100 of the present embodiment with the function of this analog signal generation control unit 54, the generation operation of the analog signal by the analog signal generation device 4 can be automated. Specifically, based on the command signal received from the test management unit 50, the analog signal generation control unit 54 outputs a control signal for instructing whether to block the input signal from the sensor 11 or output an abnormal analog signal to the electronic control device 12 to the circuit control unit 42 of the analog signal generation device 4 according to the above-described test schedule.

[0045] The data management unit 55 acquires the analog signal generated by the analog signal generation control unit 54 from the analog signal generation control unit 54, and also acquires the output signal of the electronic control device 12 (also referred to as the electronic control device output signal) when the analog signal is generated from the electronic control device 12. Then, the data management unit 55 associates the acquired analog signal and the electronic control device output signal and stores them in the test result storage unit 56. Note that the output signal of the electronic control device 12 when the analog signal is input includes a flag for distinguishing whether the electronic control device 12 has determined that the vehicle has a failure.

[0046] The data management unit 55 also receives behavior information indicating the behavior of the vehicle 1 when the analog signal is input to the electronic control unit 12, and associates this with the analog signal and the electronic control unit output signal and stores it in the test result storage unit 56. Specifically, the data management unit 55 receives information indicating the driving state (also referred to as driving state information) as the behavior information from the driving test device control unit 51, and also receives information indicating the analysis result of the exhaust gas (also referred to as exhaust gas analysis result information) from the exhaust gas analyzer 3. Then, the data management unit 55 associates the received driving state information and exhaust gas analysis result information with the analog signal and the electronic control unit output signal and stores them in the test result storage unit 56.

[0047] The test result storage unit 56 is set in a predetermined area of the memory, and stores at least the analog signal and the output signal of the electronic control unit 12 in association with each other in time series. Here, in addition to this, the driving information and the exhaust gas analysis result information are further stored in association with the analog signal and the output signal of the electronic control unit 12 in time series.

[0048] The form output unit 57 refers to the test result storage unit 56 and issues a form (certificate) for proving the test result of the conducted test. At least the analog signal and the output signal of the electronic control unit are described in the form in chronological order. Further, behavior information (such as vehicle speed, engine coolant temperature, exhaust gas analysis result, power consumption, etc.) may be described in this form.

[0049] Also, the control device 5 of the present embodiment may further include functions as an analysis result diagnosis unit 58 and a failure type determination unit 59.

[0050] The analysis result diagnosis unit 58 analyzes the measurement results in the test and determines whether to interrupt the test based on the analysis results. In this embodiment, the exhaust gas analysis result of the exhaust gas analyzer 3 is diagnosed, and it is determined whether to interrupt the test. Specifically, this analysis result diagnosis unit 58 acquires the exhaust gas analysis result from the exhaust gas analyzer 3 and monitors in real time the fluctuations in the amount of exhaust gas (and / or exhaust gas concentration) discharged from the vehicle 1. Then, this exhaust gas amount (and / or exhaust gas concentration) is compared with a predetermined threshold value (the upper limit value defined by law), and when the exhaust gas amount (and / or exhaust gas concentration) exceeds the predetermined threshold value, a command signal is sent to the test management unit 50 to interrupt the test. When the test management unit 50 receives this command signal, it sends control signals to the drive test apparatus control unit 51, the exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52, the automatic driving robot control unit 53, and the analog signal generation control unit 54 to interrupt the current process in the test schedule and move to the next process.

[0051] The failure type determination unit 59 acquires the electronic control unit output signal from the electronic control unit 12 in real time and determines the failure type of the vehicle 1 diagnosed by the electronic control unit 12 based on this electronic control unit output signal. Then, the failure type determination unit 59 sequentially sends information indicating the determined failure type (also referred to as failure type information) to the automatic driving robot control unit 53.

[0052] When the automatic driving robot control unit 53 receives the failure type information, it is configured to switch the control map referred to from the control map storage unit 531 according to this failure type. Specifically, in the control map storage unit 531, a plurality of types (for example, three types) of control maps corresponding to the preset failure levels (for example, three levels) of the vehicle 1 are stored. Then, the automatic driving robot control unit 53 determines the failure level of the acquired failure type and controls the automatic driving robot 6 by referring to the control map corresponding to the determined failure level.

[0053] Also, the failure type determination unit 59 sequentially sends the determined failure type information to the exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52 as well.

[0054] When the exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52 receives the failure type information, it transmits a control signal to cause the exhaust gas analyzer 3 to perform a purge operation according to the failure type. Specifically, the exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52 stores in advance a failure type (contamination failure type) in which high-concentration exhaust gas may be introduced into the exhaust gas analyzer 3. And when the failure type indicated by the received failure type information is included in the stored contamination failure types, the exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52 causes the analyzer 3 to perform a purge operation.

[0055] According to the test system 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the control unit controls the analog signal generator to generate an analog signal, and associates the generated analog signal with the output signal of the electronic control unit 12 when the analog signal is input, and records it in the test result storage unit 56. Therefore, conventionally, the operation of generating an analog signal and the operation of recording the output signal of the electronic control unit 12 at that time, which were manually performed by the tester while driving the vehicle 1, can be automated using a computer. As a result, it is possible to easily perform a test for verifying the vehicle diagnosis function (failure diagnosis function in the present embodiment) provided in the electronic control unit 12 without requiring advanced skills or know-how.

[0056] In addition, the test management unit 50 manages the test schedule and controls the analog signal generator 4, the drive test device 2, the automatic driving robot 6, and the exhaust gas analyzer 3 so that the test is automatically performed according to the set schedule. Furthermore, since it is further provided with a form output unit 57 that outputs a form showing the test results including the analog signal and the output signal of the electronic control unit 12 associated with the analog signal, the automation of analog signal generation, the automation of driving the vehicle 1, the automation of exhaust gas analysis, and the automation of test recording and confirmation can be achieved.

[0057] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0058] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the test system 100 of another embodiment may include at least a simulation signal generator 4 that generates a simulation signal simulating an output signal from the sensor 11 of the specimen, and a control device 5 that controls the simulation signal generator 4. The control device 5 is configured to at least function as a simulation signal generation control unit 54 that controls the simulation signal generator 4 to generate a simulation signal, and a test result storage unit 56 that associates and stores the generated simulation signal with the output signal of the electronic control device 12 of the specimen when the simulation signal is input. Even with the test system 100 of another embodiment configured in this way, the effects of the present invention described above can be achieved. That is, the simulation signal generation control unit 54 controls the simulation signal generator 4 to generate a simulation signal, and the generated simulation signal and the output signal of the electronic control device 12 when the simulation signal is input can be associated and recorded in the test result storage unit 56. Therefore, the generation operation of the simulation signal and the recording operation of the output signal of the electronic control device 12 at that time can be automated using a computer. As a result, a test for verifying the vehicle diagnostic function of the electronic control device 12 can be easily performed without requiring advanced skills or know-how.

[0059] Note that the vehicle is not necessarily limited to a complete vehicle, and may be a part of a vehicle as long as it includes at least an electronic control device. For example, as a part of a vehicle, if it includes an engine (or motor), an electronic control device 12, and a sensor 11, a part of the vehicle 1 may be used as a specimen, or a power train may be used as a specimen.

[0060] Also, although the drive test device 2 of the above embodiment was a chassis dynamometer, it is not limited to this. The drive test device 2 of another embodiment may be a dynamometer for testing the power train of the vehicle 1, or a dynamometer for engine or motor testing.

[0061] Also, the vehicle 1 of the above embodiment included an engine, but it is not limited to this. The vehicle 1 of other embodiments may be, for example, an EV (electric vehicle), a PHV (plug-in hybrid car), or a fuel cell vehicle that is driven by a motor using electricity as an energy source. In this case, the analog signal generation device 4 may be configured to generate an analog signal that simulates the output signal from a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of a motor, a battery, a fuel cell, or the like.

[0062] Also, in the test system 100 of other embodiments, the control device 5 may not have the above-described other functions as long as it has at least the functions of the analog signal generation control unit 54 and the test result storage unit 56. For example, when it is not necessary to measure exhaust gas, the test system 100 of other embodiments does not need to include the exhaust gas analyzer control unit 52 and the exhaust gas analyzer 3.

[0063] In the test system 100 of the above embodiment, all of the analog signal generation device 4, the driving test device 2, the exhaust gas analyzer 3, and the automatic driving robot 6 are automatically operated based on the set test schedule by the test management unit 50, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, only some of these devices may be automatically operated based on the test schedule. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the operator may operate the above-described devices without using the test management unit 50.

[0064] Also, in the test system 100 of the above embodiment, the driving of the vehicle 1 is performed by the automatic driving robot 6, but it is not limited to this, and a human tester may drive the vehicle 1. Also, the test system 100 of other embodiments may not include the driving test device 2 or the exhaust gas analyzer 3.

[0065] The analog signal generation device 4 of the above embodiment outputs an analog signal, but it is not limited to this, and it may be configured to output a digital signal.

[0066] In another embodiment, each functional unit performed by the control device 5 may be configured to be performed by different devices.

[0067] Another test system 100 may be configured such that temperature adjustment in the soak chamber, preconditioning adjustment on the drive test device 2, and further adjustment of the state of charge (SOC) when the vehicle 1 is an EV or PHV are automatically performed. Then, when these adjustments are completed and the conditions for starting the test are met, the test management unit 50 may transmit a control signal to each of the control units 51, 52, 53, 54 to automatically start the test.

[0068] The test system 100 of the above embodiment was used to verify whether the failure diagnosis function of the electronic control device 12 mounted on the vehicle 1 works properly, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the test system 100 may be used at the development compliance stage of the electronic control device 12 to determine thresholds for failure diagnosis by a failure diagnosis function such as OBD. Also, not limited to the failure diagnosis function, it may be used to verify whether other vehicle diagnosis functions work properly.

[0069] The test system 100 of another embodiment may be configured to store the results of previously conducted development compliance tests. Specifically, it may store the vehicle type, engine type, etc. of the vehicle 1 on which the development compliance test was conducted, the test items, and the test results. Then, the test management unit 50 may compare the test schedule input by the operator with the stored results of the development compliance tests and be configured to automatically omit the test items that have already been conducted.

[0070] Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit thereof.

Industrial Applicability

[0071] According to the test system of the present invention described above, a test for verifying the vehicle diagnosis function provided in the electronic control unit can be easily performed without requiring advanced skills or know-how.

Claims

1. A test system for testing a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, the specimen comprising an engine or a motor, a sensor, and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function of acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a part thereof, the test system comprising: a chassis dynamometer on which the specimen is placed and which performs a running test of the specimen; a simulation signal generator provided between wirings of the sensor and the electronic control unit and outputting a simulation signal simulating an output signal from the sensor to the electronic control unit; a control unit that controls the simulation signal generator to generate a simulation signal in a state where the engine or the motor is being driven on the chassis dynamometer; a storage unit that stores in association a generated simulation signal and an output signal including a flag for distinguishing whether or not the electronic control unit has determined a failure of the specimen when the simulation signal is input.

2. The simulation signal generator is provided between wirings of a plurality of the sensors and the electronic control unit, The test system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the simulation signal generator to selectively block output signals from a plurality of the sensors or to selectively output to the electronic control unit an abnormal simulation signal simulating an abnormality of the plurality of the sensors.

3. The test system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage unit further stores in association behavior information indicating behavior of the specimen when the simulation signal is input.

4. The test system according to claim 3, wherein the storage unit stores information indicating a running state of the specimen when the simulation signal is input as the behavior information.

5. The test system further comprising an automatic driving robot that drives the specimen, The test system according to claim 4, wherein the control unit outputs the simulation signal to the electronic control unit during driving of the specimen by the automatic driving robot.

6. The electronic control unit has a function of diagnosing a failure of the specimen as the vehicle diagnosis function, a control map storage unit that stores a plurality of control maps for controlling the automatic driving robot; an automatic driving robot control unit that controls the automatic driving robot with reference to the control maps stored in the control map storage unit; The test system further comprising a failure type determination unit that receives an output signal of the electronic control unit and determines a type of failure in the specimen. The test system according to claim 5, wherein the automatic driving robot control unit is configured to switch the control map referred to according to the type of failure determined by the failure type determination unit.

7. Further comprising an exhaust gas analyzer for analyzing the exhaust gas discharged from the test specimen, The test system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the storage unit stores, as the behavior information, information indicating the analysis result of the exhaust gas analyzer when the analog signal is input.

8. The test system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the storage unit stores the generated analog signal and the output signal of the electronic control unit when the analog signal is input in time series.

9. Further comprising a form output unit that outputs a form showing a test result including the analog signal stored in the storage unit and the output signal of the electronic control unit associated with the analog signal, according to any one of claims 1 to 8. The test system described in the section.

10. Further comprising a test management unit for managing the schedule of the test for the electronic control unit, The test management unit outputs a command signal to the control unit according to the schedule, and controls the test for the electronic control unit to be automatically performed according to the schedule. The test system described in the section.

11. Further comprising an analysis result diagnosis unit that acquires and diagnoses the analysis result of the exhaust gas analyzer in real time, The test system according to claim 10, which quotes claim 7, wherein the test management unit interrupts the test according to the diagnosis result of the analysis result diagnosis unit.

12. A control device for testing a test specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, comprising an engine or a motor, a sensor, and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function for acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a part thereof. There, A drive test device control unit that outputs a predetermined control signal to a chassis dynamometer on which the test specimen is placed and that performs a running test of the test specimen; An analog signal generation control unit that outputs an analog signal simulating an output signal from the sensor between the wirings of the sensor and the electronic control unit in a state where the engine or the motor is being driven on the chassis dynamometer. A control device comprising a storage unit that stores, in association with each other, a generated analog signal and an output signal including a flag for distinguishing whether or not the electronic control device has determined that there is a failure in the specimen when the analog signal is input.

13. A method for testing a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, the specimen comprising an engine or a motor, a sensor, and an electronic control device having a vehicle diagnosis function for acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a part thereof, the method comprising: placing the specimen on a chassis dynamometer and driving the engine or the motor; controlling, by a control device, a simulation signal generator provided between the wirings of the sensor and the electronic control device to output a simulation signal simulating the output signal from the sensor to the electronic control device, and generating a simulation signal while the engine or the motor is being driven on the chassis dynamometer; a test method of storing, in association with each other, the generated simulation signal and an output signal including a flag for distinguishing whether or not the electronic control device has determined that there is a failure in the specimen when the simulation signal is input.

14. A program for a test system for testing a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, the specimen comprising an engine or a motor, a sensor, and an electronic control device having a vehicle diagnosis function for acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a part thereof, the program causing a computer to function as: a drive test device control unit that outputs a predetermined control signal to a chassis dynamometer on which the specimen is placed and that conducts a running test of the specimen; a simulation signal generation control unit that outputs a simulation signal simulating the output signal from the sensor between the wirings of the sensor and the electronic control device while the engine or the motor is being driven on the chassis dynamometer; a program for a test system that causes a computer to function as a storage unit that stores, in association with each other, the generated simulation signal and an output signal including a flag for distinguishing whether or not the electronic control device has determined that there is a failure in the specimen when the simulation signal is input. A test system for testing a specimen that is a vehicle or a part thereof, the specimen comprising an engine or a motor, a sensor, and an electronic control unit having a vehicle diagnosis function for acquiring an output signal from the sensor and diagnosing the vehicle or a part thereof, a chassis dynamometer on which the specimen is placed and which performs a running test of the specimen, a simulation signal generator provided between wirings of the sensor and the electronic control unit and outputting a simulation signal simulating an output signal from the sensor to the electronic control unit, a control unit that controls the simulation signal generator to generate a simulation signal in a state where the engine or the motor is being driven on the chassis dynamometer, and a data management unit that outputs, in association with each other, the generated simulation signal and an output signal including a flag for distinguishing whether or not the electronic control unit has determined that there is a failure in the specimen when the simulation signal is input.

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