Rust prevention performance management system

Abstract

To ensure transparency and quality of evaluation of rust prevention performance, application according to the rust prevention performance, and the like in a rust prevention performance management system that manages the rust prevention performance of coating films applied to the surfaces of metal products.SOLUTION: In a rust prevention performance management system 100, a dealer system 20 as a first system 101 evaluates rust prevention performance of a coating film based on a measurement result for the coating film of a vehicle steel member as a metal product, generates deterioration prediction information that predicts future deterioration of the coating film based on this rust prevention performance, and transmits this deterioration prediction information. An application method providing system 30 as a second system 102 receives the deterioration prediction information transmitted from the dealer system 20, generates application method information including an application method for improving the rust prevention performance of the coating film of the vehicle steel member based on the deterioration prediction information, and transmits the application method information so that application is performed based on the application method information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rust prevention performance management system for managing the rust prevention performance of a coating film provided on the surface of a metal product.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques for evaluating the rust prevention performance of a coating film provided on the surface of a metal product have been known. For example, in Patent Document 1, a current is detected by applying a voltage to the surface of a coating film (insulating surface treatment film) of a metal product while bringing a corrosion factor into contact with the coating film, and the rust prevention performance (defect occurrence situation) of the coating film is evaluated based on the change over time of this current. For example, the rust prevention performance of the coating film can be evaluated from the shape of the peak in the waveform of the detected current, the number of peaks, the voltage value at which the peak occurs, the current value at the peak, and the like.

[0003] On the other hand, it would be desirable to have a rust prevention performance management system that can associate and manage the rust prevention performance of the coating film evaluated as described above with the user who uses the metal product, or provide the user with information related to this rust prevention performance or rust prevention performance. Techniques related to such a system are described, for example, in Patent Document 2. Patent Document 2 describes a deterioration diagnosis system for performing deterioration diagnosis of various devices, which includes a user client operated by a user, a plurality of diagnosis clients operated by a diagnosis service provider, and a deterioration diagnosis mediation device connected to the user client and the plurality of diagnosis clients via a network.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Incidentally, users of the above-mentioned rust prevention performance management system, once they have obtained an evaluated rust prevention performance for the coating on their metal products, are likely to then attempt to perform maintenance to improve the rust prevention performance of the coating. Therefore, if the rust prevention performance management system provides methods for improving the rust prevention performance of the coating, the convenience of this system will be further enhanced. In this case, it is thought that the transparency and quality of these processes can be ensured by configuring the rust prevention performance management system to separate the system for evaluating the rust prevention performance of the coating, the system for providing the work methods, and the system for performing the work. This is because, for example, if these processes are performed with only one system (in one example, a system used by a metal product retailer), the evaluation of rust prevention performance may be lax, excessive or insufficient work methods may be provided, or the quality of the work may not be ensured. Furthermore, if there is only one system, it is difficult to accurately correct such problems even if they occur.

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to ensure transparency and quality in the evaluation of rust prevention performance and construction according to rust prevention performance in a rust prevention performance management system for managing the rust prevention performance of a coating applied to the surface of a metal product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a rust prevention performance management system for managing the rust prevention performance of a coating applied to the surface of a metal product used by a user, wherein the rust prevention performance management system comprises a first system and a second system that are connected to each other in a communicative manner, the first system comprising: a rust prevention performance evaluation unit that evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating based on measurement results for the coating of the metal product; a deterioration prediction information generation unit that generates deterioration prediction information predicting the future deterioration of the coating of the metal product based on the rust prevention performance evaluated by the rust prevention performance evaluation unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the deterioration prediction information generated by the deterioration prediction information generation unit, the second system comprising: a receiving unit that receives the deterioration prediction information transmitted by the transmission unit of the first system; a construction method information generation unit that generates construction method information including a construction method for improving the rust prevention performance of the coating of the metal product based on the deterioration prediction information received by the receiving unit; and a transmission unit that transmits the construction method information so that construction is carried out based on the construction method information generated by the construction method information generation unit.

[0008] In the rust prevention performance management system according to the present invention, configured in this manner, a system for evaluating rust prevention performance and predicting deterioration (first system) and a system for providing construction methods (second system) are separated. In other words, the second system, which provides construction methods, is independent of the first system, which evaluates rust prevention performance and predicts deterioration. This ensures transparency in the evaluation of rust prevention performance, deterioration prediction, and provision of construction methods, thereby ensuring the quality of these processes, as well as the quality of subsequent construction.

[0009] In the present invention, preferably, the first system further includes a receiving unit that receives construction method information transmitted by a transmitting unit of the second system, a construction plan creation unit that creates a plurality of construction plans based on the construction method information received by the receiving unit, and a presentation unit that presents the plurality of construction plans created by the construction plan creation unit to the user. According to the present invention configured in this way, the first system can create multiple construction plans with different content to present to the user by editing construction method information. This allows the user to select their preferred construction plan according to the content of each plan.

[0010] In the present invention, preferably, the second system has a receiving unit that receives the rust prevention performance of the coating on a metal product, which has been evaluated after construction has been carried out based on construction method information, and a guarantee information generation unit that confirms the rust prevention performance received by the receiving unit and generates guarantee information to guarantee said rust prevention performance, and transmits the guarantee information generated by the guarantee information generation unit by a transmitting unit, and the first system has a receiving unit that receives the guarantee information transmitted by the transmitting unit of the second system, and a management unit that manages user information of users who use metal products, and the user information includes a construction history that shows the history of construction carried out on the metal product, and when the guarantee information is received by the receiving unit, the management unit of the first system updates the construction history included in the user information. According to the present invention configured in this manner, the reliability of the construction history of user information managed in the first system can be ensured.

[0011] In the present invention, preferably, the construction method information also includes information indicating the rust-preventive performance of the coating film, which is obtained when construction is carried out based on the construction method included in the construction method information. According to the present invention configured in this way, the convenience of the construction method information can be improved by including the rust prevention performance after construction in the construction method information.

[0012] In the present invention, preferably, the metal product includes a plurality of parts, and the form of the coating provided on each of these plurality of parts is different. In the first system, the rust prevention performance evaluation unit evaluates the rust prevention performance for each of the plurality of parts, and the deterioration prediction information generation unit generates deterioration prediction information for each of the plurality of parts. In the second system, the construction method information generation unit generates construction method information for each of the plurality of parts. According to the present invention configured in this manner, it is possible to provide rust prevention performance evaluation, deterioration prediction, and construction methods tailored to each of multiple parts.

[0013] In the present invention, preferably, the deterioration prediction information generation unit of the first system refers to environmental information defined for each of several regions and generates deterioration prediction information for the coating of the metal product based on the environmental information corresponding to the region in which the metal product for which deterioration prediction information is to be generated is used. The environmental information is information that associates one or more environmental factors that affect the rust prevention performance of the metal product with information indicating the degree to which the environmental factors have an impact on the rust prevention performance for each of several regions. According to the present invention configured in this way, the deterioration of the coating can be accurately predicted by taking into account the degree of deterioration which varies depending on the environment of each region.

[0014] In the present invention, preferably, the metal product comprises multiple parts, each of which has a different coating, and environmental information is defined for each of the multiple parts. According to the present invention configured in this way, by using environmental information defined for each of the multiple parts, the deterioration of the coating film on each part can be predicted with high accuracy.

[0015] In the present invention, preferably, the deterioration prediction information generation unit of the first system generates deterioration prediction information for the coating of a metal product based on environmental information and initial information regarding the coating of the metal product that is the target of generating deterioration prediction information. According to the present invention configured in this way, by using initial information on the coating of a metal product in addition to environmental information, the deterioration of the coating can be predicted with greater accuracy. In other words, by comparing the initial state of the coating with the current state of the coating, the deterioration trend of the coating can be obtained, and based on this deterioration trend, the accuracy of predicting the deterioration of the coating can be improved.

[0016] In a preferred example of the present invention, the metal product is a steel component for a vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, in a rust prevention performance management system for managing the rust prevention performance of a coating film provided on the surface of a metal product, transparency and quality such as evaluation of rust prevention performance and application according to rust prevention performance can be ensured.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] It is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a rust prevention performance management system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a block diagram schematically showing the storage information of an automobile manufacturer system according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram schematically showing the functional parts and storage information of a dealer system according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a block diagram schematically showing the functional parts and storage information of an application method providing system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] In the first embodiment, it is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the rust prevention performance management system. [Figure 6] In this embodiment, it is a table showing an example of environmental information defined for each region. [Figure 7] In this embodiment, it is a table showing an example of environmental information defined for each of a plurality of parts in a vehicle. [Figure 8] It is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for generating deterioration prediction information according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] It is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a method for generating deterioration prediction information according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] In the second embodiment, it is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the rust prevention performance management system.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] The following describes an embodiment of the rust prevention performance management system according to the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, an embodiment in which the rust prevention performance management system according to the present invention is applied to a vehicle (steel component for a vehicle) as a metal product will be described.

[0020] [System Configuration] First, the configuration of the rust prevention performance management system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 4. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the rust prevention performance management system according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the stored information of the automobile manufacturer system according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional parts and stored information of the dealer system according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the functional parts and stored information of the construction method provision system according to this embodiment.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the rust prevention performance management system 100 includes a vehicle manufacturer system 10 used by vehicle manufacturers (automobile manufacturers), a dealer system 20 used by dealers that sell vehicles, a construction method provision system 30 used by organizations that provide construction methods (maintenance methods) to improve the rust prevention performance of vehicle coatings, and a contractor system 40 used for information processing by contractors that improve the rust prevention performance of vehicle coatings. In the rust prevention performance management system 100, these systems 10, 20, 30, and 40 are connected via a communication line 50.

[0022] In this embodiment, the rust prevention performance management system 100 is a system that manages information regarding the rust prevention performance of coatings (insulating surface treatment films such as resin coatings (electrodeposited coatings)) applied to the surface of vehicle steel components used in various parts of a vehicle, as metal products used by users. In this rust prevention performance management system 100, the construction method provision system 30 is a system used by analytical institutions, research institutions, etc., that provides construction methods to improve the rust prevention performance of vehicle coatings based on the latest material data (see Figure 4). Such specialized institutions can provide high-quality construction methods. On the other hand, the contractor system 40 is a system used by contractors (vehicle maintenance companies) that have contracted / joined the rust prevention performance management system 100, for example. Although only one contractor system 40 is shown in Figure 1, in reality, there are multiple contractors, and therefore multiple contractor systems 40 exist.

[0023] Specifically, the vehicle manufacturer system 10, the dealer system 20, the construction method provision system 30, and the construction contractor system 40 each have information processing devices 11, 21, 31, and 41, respectively. Each of these information processing devices 11, 21, 31, and 41 mainly comprises a processor 11a, 21a, 31a, and 41a, such as a CPU, which performs various processes; a memory 11b, 21b, 31b, and 41b (such as ROM, RAM, and hard disk) that stores programs to be executed by the processors 11a, 21a, 31a, and 41a, as well as various data necessary for the execution of these programs; a communication device 11c, 21c, 31c, and 41c for communication via a communication line 50; an input device 11d, 21d, 31d, and 41d, such as a mouse, keyboard, or touch panel, for inputting various information into the information processing devices 11, 21, 31, and 41; and an output device 11e, 21e, 31e, and 41e, such as a display, speaker, or printer, for outputting various information from the information processing devices 11, 21, 31, and 41.

[0024] Furthermore, the dealer system 20 and the contractor system 40 have measuring devices 22 and 42. The measuring devices 22 and 42 are devices for measuring the rust prevention performance of a coating applied to a vehicle steel member using various known methods (for example, the method described in Patent Document 1 above). For example, the measuring devices 22 and 42 detect current by applying a voltage to the surface of the vehicle steel member to which the coating is applied. In this case, the rust prevention performance of the coating can be evaluated from the shape of the peaks in the detected current waveform (change in current over time), the number of peaks, the voltage value at which the peaks occur, and the current value at the peak. Furthermore, the measuring device 42 provided in the contractor system 40 is sold or leased to the contractor when the contractor enters into a contract with / joins the rust prevention performance management system 100 as described above. Also, the measuring devices 22 and 42 are not limited to detecting current by applying voltage, but may also detect voltage by applying current (the same applies hereinafter).

[0025] Here, the vehicle manufacturer system 10 and the dealer system 20 constitute the first system 101 in the present invention, and the construction method provision system 30 constitutes the second system 102 in the present invention. Note that the dealer system 20 alone may constitute the first system 101 (in this embodiment, the dealer system 20 alone basically constitutes the first system 101). In the dealer system 20, the communication device 21c corresponds to the "transmitter" and "receiver" in the present invention, and the output device 21e corresponds to the "presentation unit" in the present invention. In the construction method provision system 30, the communication device 31c corresponds to the "transmitter" and "receiver" in the present invention.

[0026] Next, as shown in Figure 2, the vehicle manufacturer system 10 stores environmental information and new vehicle information in memory 11b, which are used to predict the future deterioration of the paint film based on its rust prevention performance. The environmental information is information that associates multiple environmental factors (such as airborne salt, de-icing salt, and soil) that affect the rust prevention performance of steel components for vehicles, for each of multiple regions, with information indicating the degree to which each of these environmental factors affects rust prevention performance. Furthermore, this environmental information is defined for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle (in addition to large parts such as the chassis and body, these are further divided into smaller parts). Furthermore, the new vehicle information includes information such as the film thickness, film quality, and type of steel component (steel grade) of the paint film when the vehicle is new, and is defined for each of the multiple parts. Note that the new vehicle information corresponds to the "initial information" in this invention.

[0027] Next, as shown in Figure 3, the dealer system 20 stores user information about the user who will be using the vehicle in memory 21b. This user information includes information about the region associated with the user and a history of evaluations of rust prevention performance by measurement using the measuring device 22. The region information associated with the user can include the user's address and the vehicle's primary place of use (such as storage location), and may also include the user's relocation history.

[0028] Furthermore, in the dealer system 20, the processor 21a functions as a rust prevention performance evaluation unit, a deterioration prediction information generation unit, a construction plan creation unit, and a management unit. Specifically, the rust prevention performance evaluation unit evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating film for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle based on the measurement results from the measuring device 22. The deterioration prediction information generation unit acquires environmental information and new vehicle information from the vehicle manufacturer system 10 (received by the communication device 21c of the dealer system 20), and based on this information, generates deterioration prediction information that predicts the future deterioration of the coating film for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle based on the rust prevention performance evaluated by the rust prevention performance evaluation unit. The deterioration prediction information thus generated is transmitted to the construction method provision system 30. The management unit performs processing to manage the above user information (for example, processing to update user information). The construction plan creation unit will be described later.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figure 4, in the construction method provision system 30, the memory 31b stores the latest material data for the coating, and the processor 31a functions as a construction method information generation unit and a warranty information generation unit. The construction method information generation unit acquires deterioration prediction information from the dealer system 20 (received by the communication device 31c of the construction method provision system 30), and based on this deterioration prediction information, generates construction method information that includes construction methods to improve the rust prevention performance of the coating for multiple parts of the vehicle. This construction method information also includes information indicating the rust prevention performance of the coating for multiple parts, which can be obtained when construction is carried out based on the construction methods included in the construction method information. The construction method information thus generated is transmitted externally. The warranty information generation unit will be described later.

[0030] Next, in the dealer system 20, the construction plan creation unit obtains construction method information from the construction method provision system 30 (received by the communication device 21c of the dealer system 20), and creates multiple construction plans based on the construction method information. The dealer system 20 presents the multiple construction plans to the user from the output device 21e, and obtains the construction plan selected by the user from among the presented plans from the input device 21d. Then, when the dealer carries out the construction based on this construction plan, the dealer system 20 measures each of the multiple parts after construction using the measuring device 22. After this, the rust prevention performance evaluation unit evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating based on these measurement results. The rust prevention performance thus evaluated is transmitted to the construction method provision system 30.

[0031] On the other hand, the construction method information generated in the construction method provision system 30 may be provided directly to the contractor system 40. Basically, the communication device 41c of the contractor system 40 receives the construction method information transmitted from the construction method provision system 30. In such cases, the contractor will carry out the construction based on the construction method information. After the contractor has carried out the construction, the contractor system 40 will perform measurements on multiple parts after construction using the measuring device 42, and the rust prevention performance of the coating will be evaluated based on these measurement results. This evaluated rust prevention performance will be transmitted to the construction method provision system 30.

[0032] Then, in the construction method provision system 30, upon receiving the rust prevention performance of the coating transmitted from the dealer system 20 or the contractor system 40 as described above (received by the communication device 31c of the construction method provision system 30), the warranty information generation unit verifies the rust prevention performance and generates warranty information that guarantees said rust prevention performance. After this, the generated warranty information is transmitted to the dealer system 20. Then, when the dealer system 20 receives the warranty information transmitted from the construction method provision system 30 (received by the communication device 21c of the dealer system 20), the management unit updates the construction history of the vehicle on which the work has been performed and manages this construction history by including it in the corresponding user information.

[0033] [System Processing] Next, embodiments (first and second embodiments) of the processing performed in the rust prevention performance management system 100 described above will be explained.

[0034] (First Embodiment) First, the system processing according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the rust prevention performance management system 100 in the first embodiment. In explaining the flowchart in Figure 5, although the processing included in this flowchart is actually executed by the information processing device 21 of the dealer system 20 (typically the processor 21a within the information processing device 21) and the information processing device 31 of the construction method provision system 30 (typically the processor 31a within the information processing device 31), for convenience, it will be explained as if it is executed by the dealer system 20 and the construction method provision system 30.

[0035] The flowchart shown in Figure 5 is performed, for example, when a user requests a vehicle inspection from a dealer. First, in step S101, the dealer system 20 reads the user information of the vehicle being processed from memory 21b. The user information includes regional information related to the user (user's address, the vehicle's primary place of use (storage location, etc.), and the user's relocation history), as well as the rust prevention performance evaluation history and application history.

[0036] Next, in step S102, the dealer system 20 receives new vehicle information and environmental information from the vehicle manufacturer system 10 via the communication device 21c. The new vehicle information includes information such as the film thickness, film quality, and type (steel grade) of the paint film when the vehicle is new, and is defined for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle. For example, such new vehicle information may include data measured during the vehicle development process or data obtained by performing a predetermined simulation (water exposure simulation) on the vehicle's 3D data. The environmental information is information that associates multiple environmental factors (such as scattered salt, de-icing salt, and soil) that affect the rust prevention performance of vehicle steel components with information indicating the degree to which each of the multiple environmental factors affects rust prevention performance, for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle. This environmental information is also defined for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle.

[0037] Here, an example of environmental information will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 shows an example of environmental information defined for each region. In the environmental information shown in Figure 6, for each region of the vehicle's primary place of use (storage location, etc.), the following are defined: a coefficient corresponding to the amount of airborne salt (values ​​from 1 to 3 indicating the degree of impact on rust prevention performance (hereinafter the same applies)), a coefficient corresponding to the amount of de-icing salt purchased or applied per engine, a coefficient corresponding to the ease of adhesion to the soil, a coefficient corresponding to the pH of the soil, and the sum of these coefficients. Such environmental information is created in advance from publicly available information such as the amount of airborne salt for each region, the amount of de-icing salt purchased per engine, the amount of de-icing salt applied per region, and data on soil composition and pH for each region. Furthermore, the environmental information shown in Figure 6 also defines a correction coefficient corresponding to the sum of the coefficients. This correction coefficient is used to generate deterioration prediction information by taking the environmental information into account (details will be described later). For example, it is used to correct the number of years it is predicted that steel components for vehicles will begin to rust. Furthermore, the environmental information is not limited to the general regional information shown in Figure 6; more detailed regional information may be used based on the user's address, map data, etc.

[0038] Further examples of environmental information will be explained with reference to Figure 7. Figure 7 shows an example of environmental information defined for each of several parts of a vehicle. As shown in Figure 7, this environmental information defines the influence of multiple environmental factors that affect rust prevention performance, such as de-icing salt, airborne sea salt, crushed stone, mud, and rainfall, for each of several parts of the vehicle, such as flat surfaces, welded parts, edges, and inside of bags in the chassis, and outer panels, semi-outer panels, underside of the floor (inside and outside the under cover), inside of bags, and the passenger compartment (floor) in the body. In the example of environmental information shown in Figure 7, the environmental factors that may affect each of the multiple parts are identified (identified with "○" in the figure). Environmental information is defined in this way because the degree to which environmental factors influence rust prevention performance varies depending on the part of the vehicle. Environmental information like that shown in Figure 7 is also used to generate deterioration prediction information (details will be described later). For example, for parts affected by environmental factors, the number of years it is predicted that the vehicle's steel components will begin to rust is corrected.

[0039] Returning to Figure 5, in step S103 following step S102, the dealer system 20 evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating film for each of several parts of the vehicle based on the measurement results from the measuring device 22. Specifically, the dealer system 20 evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating film using various known methods (for example, the method described in Patent Document 1 above) based on the change in current over time (current waveform) detected by the measuring device 22. For example, the dealer system 20 evaluates the film thickness and film quality (such as the presence or absence of defects, the effective film thickness at the defect location, and the defect occurrence status, such as the number of defects per unit area) as part of the rust prevention performance of the coating film, based on the shape of the peaks in the detected current waveform, the number of peaks, the voltage value at which the peaks occur, and the current value at the peak. After evaluating the rust prevention performance in this way, the dealer system 20 updates the evaluation history included in the user information of the corresponding vehicle.

[0040] Next, in step S104, the dealer system 20 generates deterioration prediction information that predicts the future deterioration of the paint film for multiple parts of the vehicle, based on the environmental information and new vehicle information received in step S102 and the rust prevention performance evaluated in step S103.

[0041] Here, with reference to Figure 8, an example of a method for generating deterioration prediction information will be explained. Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for generating deterioration prediction information. Here, an example is given in which the voltage value at which the current peak detected by the measuring device 22 occurs is used as the rust prevention performance of the coating film. This voltage value represents the voltage value at the time when the paint undergoes dielectric breakdown, and basically, the higher this voltage value, the higher the rust prevention performance of the coating film. In Figure 8, the horizontal axis shows the number of years elapsed since the vehicle was built, and the vertical axis shows the voltage value corresponding to the rust prevention performance.

[0042] In Figure 8, "V11" is the voltage value of a certain part of the vehicle when it is new (included in the new vehicle information), and "V12" is the voltage value detected by the measuring device 22 in the dealer system 20 for the same part after "Y11" years have elapsed since the vehicle was new. From this, the rate of change (decrease rate) of the voltage value is obtained as "(V12-V11) / Y11" (the slope of the straight line L11), and this rate of change can be considered as the deterioration trend of the paint film. From this deterioration trend, it is possible to predict the future deterioration of the paint film. That is, using a straight line L12 with the same slope as straight line L11 (in other words, a straight line L12 extended from straight line L11), the number of years Y12 in which the voltage value Vt corresponding to the deterioration of the paint film (specifically, the voltage value when rust begins to occur on the steel components of the vehicle) is reached can be determined. This number of years Y12 is the number of years in which the steel components of the vehicle are predicted to begin to rust, and is used as deterioration prediction information.

[0043] Also, in the present embodiment, the number of years Y12 obtained as described above is corrected based on environmental information. Specifically, the number of years Y12 is corrected by a correction factor included in the environmental information as shown in FIG. 6. In this case, the environmental information defined for the region corresponding to the vehicle for which the deterioration prediction information is to be generated is used. For example, the number of years Y12 is divided by the correction factor included in the environmental information. In this example, when the correction factor is greater than 1, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 8, instead of the straight line L12, the straight line L13 is used, and the number of years Y12 is corrected to the number of years Y13 (Y13 < Y12). Further, in the present embodiment, correction is also performed based on the environmental information defined by the vehicle part as shown in FIG. 7. Specifically, for the part identified as being affected by environmental factors (identified by "○" in FIG. 7), the number of years Y12 (or the number of years Y13 if the number of years Y12 is corrected) is corrected to be shorter.

[0044] In the above description, a method for generating deterioration prediction information for the vehicle of a user who purchased a new car has been described. However, in other examples, it is also possible to generate deterioration prediction information for the vehicle of a user who purchased a used car. This will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the method for generating deterioration prediction information. Here, only the differences from the method for generating deterioration prediction information described in FIG. 8 will be explained. For a used car, there may be a case where the voltage value V11 at the time of a new car as described above does not exist. In this case, instead of the voltage value V11 at the time of a new car, the voltage value V2 detected by the measuring device 22 in the dealer system 20 may be used. For example, this voltage value V2 is detected by the measuring device 22 when the dealer purchases a used car from another user. In still another example, for a used car, there may be a case where the voltage value V12 detected by the measuring device 22 in the dealer system 20 does not exist after Y11 years have passed. In this case, the voltage value detected for another vehicle (it is preferable to use the same vehicle model) after Y11 years have passed may be used.

[0045] Returning to Figure 5, in step S104, the dealer system 20 transmits the deterioration prediction information generated as described above to the construction method provision system 30 via the communication device 21c. Then, in step S201, the construction method provision system 30 receives the deterioration prediction information from the dealer system 20 via the communication device 31c.

[0046] Next, in step S202, the construction method provision system 30 refers to the latest material data stored in memory 31b and generates construction method information, including construction methods for improving the rust prevention performance of the coating film for multiple parts of the vehicle, based on the deterioration prediction information received in step S201. Specifically, the construction method provision system 30 generates construction method information consisting of the type of coating material (paint, undercoat, wax), the part number of the coating material, and the film thickness to be applied to multiple parts. For example, the construction method provision system 30 generates construction method information that includes the type and part number of the coating material according to the part of the vehicle, and the film thickness according to the number of years it is predicted that the steel members of the vehicle will start to rust, as included in the deterioration prediction information (if this number of years is small, the film thickness applied by the construction should be increased). The construction method provision system 30 also includes information indicating the rust prevention performance of the coating film for multiple parts (such as the magnitude of the voltage value that will be detected by the measuring device 22 for each part) which will be obtained when construction is carried out based on the construction method included in the construction method information. The construction method provision system 30 then transmits the construction method information generated in this manner to the dealer system 20 via the communication device 31c.

[0047] Next, in step S105, the dealer system 20 receives construction method information from the construction method provision system 30 via the communication device 21c. Then, in step S106, the dealer system 20 creates multiple construction plans based on the received construction method information. Specifically, the dealer system 20 creates multiple different construction plans according to the type of coating material (paint, undercoat, wax), the part number of the coating material, and the film thickness (corresponding to the amount of coating applied) to be applied to each part, as included in the construction method information described above. For example, the dealer system 20 creates multiple construction plans with different costs depending on the maintenance period of the coating film after application (the shorter the maintenance period (corresponding to the amount of coating applied), the lower the cost). The dealer system 20 then presents these multiple construction plans to the user via the output device 21e (typically, multiple construction plans are displayed on the display, but multiple construction plans may also be printed out). This allows the user to select their preferred construction plan according to the content and cost of each plan. Then, in step S107, the dealer system 20 obtains the construction plan selected by the user from among the multiple construction plans presented, from the input device 21d.

[0048] Next, after the dealer carries out the work based on the selected work plan as described above, in step S108, the dealer system 20 measures each of the multiple parts after the work using the measuring device 22 and evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating based on these measurement results. The method for evaluating rust prevention performance is the same as in step S103. After evaluating the rust prevention performance in this way, the dealer system 20 updates the evaluation history included in the user information of the vehicle in question. Then, in step S109, the dealer system 20 transmits the evaluated rust prevention performance to the work method provision system 30 via the communication device 21c.

[0049] Next, in step S203, the construction method provision system 30 receives the rust prevention performance from the dealer system 20 via the communication device 31c. Then, in step S204, the construction method provision system 30 verifies this rust prevention performance, generates guarantee information to guarantee the rust prevention performance, and transmits this guarantee information to the dealer system 20 via the communication device 31c. However, if there are any deficiencies in the received rust prevention performance information, the construction method provision system 30 will not generate or transmit the guarantee information.

[0050] Next, in step S110, when the dealer system 20 receives warranty information from the installation method provision system 30 via the communication device 21c, it updates the installation history included in the user information of the vehicle on which the installation was performed. In other words, the dealer system 20 reflects the updated installation history in the user information that includes the installation history.

[0051] (Second Embodiment) Next, with reference to Figure 10, the system processing according to the second embodiment will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the rust prevention performance management system 100 in the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the construction according to the construction method information is carried out by the construction company instead of the dealer. That is, in the second embodiment, since the construction is carried out by the construction company instead of the dealer, some of the processing shown in the first embodiment is carried out by the construction company system 40 instead of the dealer system 20. Here, only the configurations that differ from the first embodiment will be described, and the configurations that are the same as in the first embodiment will not be described (i.e., the configurations that are not described are the same as in the first embodiment).

[0052] In the second embodiment, when construction method information is transmitted from the construction method provision system 30 in step S202, the contractor system 40 receives the construction method information from the construction method provision system 30 via the communication device 41c in step S301. In principle, the contractor system 40 receives the construction method information from the construction method provision system 30, but if the construction method information is provided to the user's smartphone from the construction method provision system 30, the contractor system 40 may also receive the construction method information via the smartphone (in other examples, the contractor may be presented with the construction method information from the user's smartphone).

[0053] Next, after the contractor carries out the construction based on the construction method information received as described above, in step S302, the contractor system 40 measures each of the multiple parts after construction using the measuring device 42, and evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating based on these measurement results. The method for evaluating rust prevention performance is as described in step S103 of Figure 5. Then, in step S303, the contractor system 40 transmits the evaluated rust prevention performance to the construction method provision system 30 via the communication device 41c.

[0054] [Mechanism of Action and Effects] Next, the operation and effects of the rust prevention performance management system 100 according to the present embodiment described above will be explained.

[0055] In the rust prevention performance management system 100 according to this embodiment, the dealer system 20, as the first system 101, evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating film on the steel vehicle components based on measurement results, generates deterioration prediction information that predicts the future deterioration of the coating film based on this rust prevention performance, and transmits this deterioration prediction information. Meanwhile, the construction method provision system 30, as the second system 102, receives the deterioration prediction information transmitted from the dealer system 20, generates construction method information including a construction method to improve the rust prevention performance of the coating film on the steel vehicle components based on this deterioration prediction information, and transmits this construction method information so that construction is carried out based on this construction method information.

[0056] In this type of rust prevention performance management system 100, the system for evaluating rust prevention performance and predicting deterioration is separated from the system for providing construction methods. In other words, the system for providing construction methods is independent of the system for evaluating rust prevention performance and predicting deterioration. This ensures transparency in each of the three aspects of rust prevention performance evaluation, deterioration prediction, and construction method provision, thereby ensuring the quality of these aspects as well as the quality of subsequent construction.

[0057] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the dealer system 20 receives construction method information transmitted from the construction method provision system 30, creates multiple construction plans based on this construction method information, and presents these multiple construction plans to the user. This allows the user to select their preferred construction plan according to the content and cost of each plan.

[0058] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the construction method provision system 30 receives the rust prevention performance of the coating film evaluated after construction is carried out based on the construction method information, confirms this rust prevention performance, generates and transmits guarantee information to guarantee said rust prevention performance, and the dealer system 20 manages user information including construction history showing the construction history, and updates the construction history included in the user information when the guarantee information is received. This ensures the reliability of the construction history included in the user information managed by the dealer system 20.

[0059] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the construction method information also includes information indicating the rust-preventive performance of the coating film, which is obtained when construction is carried out based on the construction method included in the construction method information. By including the rust-preventive performance after construction in the construction method information in this way, the usability of the construction method information can be improved.

[0060] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the dealer system 20 evaluates the rust prevention performance of each of the multiple parts of the vehicle and generates deterioration prediction information, while the construction method provision system 30 generates construction method information for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle. This makes it possible to provide rust prevention performance evaluation, deterioration prediction, and construction methods tailored to each of the multiple parts.

[0061] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the dealer system 20 refers to environmental information that associates one or more environmental factors affecting the rust prevention performance of vehicle steel components with information indicating the degree to which these environmental factors influence rust prevention performance, for each of several regions, and generates deterioration prediction information based on the environmental information corresponding to the region in which the vehicle for which deterioration prediction information is to be generated was used. This makes it possible to accurately predict the deterioration of the coating by taking into account the different degrees of deterioration progression according to the environment of each region.

[0062] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, environmental information is defined for each of the multiple parts of the vehicle. By using such environmental information, the deterioration of the paint film on each part can be predicted with high accuracy.

[0063] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the dealer system 20 generates deterioration prediction information based on new vehicle information of the vehicle that is the target of deterioration prediction information generation, in addition to environmental information. By using new vehicle information in addition to environmental information in this way, paint film deterioration can be predicted with greater accuracy.

[0064] [Differentiation] In the embodiment described above, the dealer system 20 generated the deterioration prediction information, but in a modified example, the vehicle manufacturer system 10 may generate the deterioration prediction information. In this modified example, the vehicle manufacturer system 10 receives the rust prevention performance evaluated by the dealer system 20 and generates deterioration prediction information based on the stored environmental information and new vehicle information from this rust prevention performance. The vehicle manufacturer system 10 then transmits the generated deterioration prediction information to the dealer system 20 or the construction method provision system 30. In this modified example, the vehicle manufacturer system 10 and the dealer system 20 correspond to the "first system" in the present invention.

[0065] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment shows an example of applying the present invention to a vehicle (specifically, a steel component for a vehicle), the present invention is applicable to various metal products (for example, building materials and home appliances) that have a coating film on their surface. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 10. Vehicle Manufacturer System 11, 21, 31, 41 Information Processing Devices 20 Dealer System 22, 42 Measuring devices 30 Construction Method Provision System 40. Contractor System 100 Rust Prevention Performance Management System 101 System 1 102 System 2

Claims

1. A rust prevention performance management system for managing the rust prevention performance of a coating applied to the surface of a metal product used by a user, The aforementioned rust prevention performance management system has a first system and a second system that are connected in a communicative manner. The first system is A rust prevention performance evaluation unit evaluates the rust prevention performance of the coating film on the aforementioned metal product based on the measurement results, A deterioration prediction information generation unit generates deterioration prediction information that predicts the future deterioration of the coating film of the metal product based on the rust prevention performance evaluated by the rust prevention performance evaluation unit, A transmission unit that transmits the degradation prediction information generated by the degradation prediction information generation unit, It has, The second system is A receiving unit that receives the degradation prediction information transmitted by the transmitting unit of the first system, A construction method information generation unit generates construction method information, including a construction method for improving the rust prevention performance of the coating on the metal product, based on the deterioration prediction information received by the receiving unit. A transmission unit transmits construction method information so that construction is carried out based on the construction method information generated by the construction method information generation unit, Having, A rust prevention performance management system characterized by the following:

2. The first system is A receiving unit that receives the construction method information transmitted by the transmitting unit of the second system, A construction plan creation unit creates multiple construction plans based on the construction method information received by the receiving unit, A presentation unit that presents the multiple construction plans created by the construction plan creation unit to the user, It further has, The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 1.

3. The second system is The rust-preventive performance of the coating on the metal product, evaluated after the construction is carried out based on the construction method information, is received by the receiving unit. The system further includes a guarantee information generation unit that confirms the rust prevention performance received by the receiving unit and generates guarantee information to guarantee said rust prevention performance, The guarantee information generated by the guarantee information generation unit is transmitted by the transmission unit. The first system is A receiving unit that receives the guarantee information transmitted by the transmitting unit of the second system, A management unit that manages user information of users who use the aforementioned metal products, It further possesses, The user information includes a construction history showing the history of work performed on the metal product, and when the warranty information is received by the receiving unit, the management unit of the first system updates the construction history included in the user information. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The aforementioned construction method information also includes information indicating the rust-preventive performance of the coating film, which is obtained when construction is carried out based on the aforementioned construction method included in the said construction method information. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The aforementioned metal product includes multiple parts, and the form of the coating applied to each of these multiple parts is different. In the first system, the rust prevention performance evaluation unit evaluates the rust prevention performance for each of the plurality of parts, and the deterioration prediction information generation unit generates deterioration prediction information for each of the plurality of parts. In the second system, the construction method information generation unit generates the construction method information for each of the plurality of parts. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The deterioration prediction information generation unit of the first system refers to environmental information defined for each of several regions and generates deterioration prediction information for the coating of the metal product based on the environmental information corresponding to the region in which the metal product for which deterioration prediction information is to be generated is used. The aforementioned environmental information is information that associates, for each of the multiple regions, one or more environmental factors that affect the rust prevention performance of the metal product, and information indicating the degree to which the environmental factors have an impact on the rust prevention performance. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The aforementioned metal product includes multiple parts, and the form of the coating applied to each of these multiple parts is different. For each of the aforementioned multiple parts, the environmental information is defined. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 6.

8. The deterioration prediction information generation unit of the first system generates deterioration prediction information for the coating of the metal product based on the environmental information and initial information relating to the coating of the metal product that is the target of generating the deterioration prediction information. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 6.

9. The aforementioned metal product is a steel component for a vehicle. The rust prevention performance management system according to claim 1 or 2.

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