EP2676116A1

EP2676116A1 - Mobile communication interface, system comprising a mobile communication interface and method for identifying, diagnosing, servicing and repairing a vehicle

Info

Publication number: EP2676116A1
Application number: EP12700470.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roger Malmsheimer; Ramon Amirpour; Guenter Nobis
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2011-02-16
Filing date: 2012-01-09
Publication date: 2013-12-25
Also published as: CN103370608A; CN103370608B; DE102011004207A1; US20140074344A1; US9665993B2; WO2012110262A1; BR112013019985A2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for identifying, diagnosing, servicing and repairing a vehicle (10) in a workshop, consisting of the following steps: a mobile communication interface (VCI, 1) is connected to the vehicle (10) and a first vehicle test device (3a) is connected at least to the VCI (1) on a first work station (42); the identification data is detected for the vehicle (10) using the first vehicle test device (3a) and said identification data for the vehicle (10) in stored in the VCI (1); first tests are carried out on the vehicle (10) using the first vehicle test device (3a) and/or the VCI (1); the first vehicle test device (3a) is separated from the vehicle (10); a second vehicle test device (3b) is connected to the vehicle (10) and the identification data is read out from the VCI (1) in the second vehicle test device (3b) on a second work station (43) and second tests are carried out on the vehicle (10) using the second vehicle test device (3b) and/or by connecting the VCI (1) to the vehicle (10).

Description

Description title

Mobile communication interface, system with mobile communication interface and method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle

The invention relates to a mobile communication interface, a system with a mobile communication interface and a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle via a mobile communication interface, in particular in a motor vehicle workshop.

PRIOR ART DE 44 46 512 A1 discloses a device for carrying out a vehicle test with a mobile radio part, which transmits diagnostic data from a vehicle to a workshop.

The document DE 199 21 846 A1 discloses a diagnostic test device with portable tester for motor vehicles.

The technical development of motor vehicle inspection technology has led to a large number of specific external test devices for different test areas and motor vehicle components. The vehicle testers used for this purpose are highly specialized and adapted to the corresponding vehicle components. Frequently, vehicle test equipment is used at specific workstations in a workshop or testing facility,

For example, because the Fahrzeugprüfgeräte are permanently installed in the workshop. A vehicle which is located in the workshop for fault diagnosis and / or repair is moved from workstation to workstation, depending on the test or repair to be performed.

In today's motor vehicles many functions are performed by electronic control units that are connected to the vehicle electronics. The electronic control units often take onboard diagnostic functions of the

Vehicle systems and store special diagnostic and / or operating status data. So that the data of the diagnostic functions are evaluated from the control units can, universal diagnostic tester have been developed, which allow communication with the in-vehicle control units. The functionality of the communication can be very different and relates, for example, to the reading out of stored error codes, the transmission of actual values, the execution of complex actuator tests, the resetting of the service intervals, the training

built-in spare parts and similar tasks.

Diagnostic testers usually include an assembly that is responsible for communication with the vehicle. This module is usually called

Vehicle communication interface or as international standard as a vehicle

Communication Interface, abbreviated VCI. Such VCI can also be arranged in a separate housing, and wired or wirelessly communicate with universal control and display devices such as laptops, PDAs or smartphones. The diagnostic functionality of universal diagnostic tester or operating and display devices is ensured via a corresponding diagnostic software, which allows the operation, display, diagnostic sequence control and communication with the electronic control units via the VCI.

The specialization of vehicle testing equipment today usually requires the

Combination of individual test and repair steps with communication steps and the

Evaluation of the data in the electronic control units.

In the design of the test equipment and the workshop runs so far two basic approaches have been established, which are shown schematically in Figs. 6 and 7.

Fig. 6 shows a vehicle 61 in a workshop. The vehicle 61 in this case comprises one or more electronic control units 62, which are installed in the vehicle 61. During a test or repair run through a workshop, the vehicle 61 is moved to different workstations 65a, 65b and 65c, which may be spatially separated. At each of the workstations 65a, 65b, 65c there is a specific vehicle test device or universal operating and display device 64a, 64b, 64c assigned to the respective workstation. The specific vehicle testers 64a, 64b, 64c may be connected to components of the vehicle 61, such as the exhaust, the engine, the air conditioner, or other components for testing purposes. In addition, each workstation has a respective workstation 65a, 65b, 65c associated universal diagnostic tester 63, with which the communication with the electronic control units 62 of the vehicle 61 is established via a standardized vehicle interface, not shown. Alternatively, the workshop only has a universal diagnostic tester 63, which is then passed on from work to work if necessary.

In a workshop run of the vehicle 61, it is necessary that at each

Workplace 65a, 65b, 65c of the respective universal diagnostic tester 63 is connected to the unrepresented standardized vehicle interface. The operation of the diagnostic tester 63 and of the respective vehicle tester 64a, 64b, 64c takes place separately. This can lead to manual input errors by the users of the devices. In addition, with the repeated identification of the vehicle 61 at each of

Jobs 65a, 65b, 65c by the diagnostic tester 63 a certain amount of extra time and work required.

FIG. 7 shows another approach: A vehicle 71 with one or more built-in electronic control units 72 passes through the workstations 75a, 75b, 75c in a workshop. At workplaces 75a, 75b, 75c there is a specific vehicle test device 74a, 74b, 74c. Each of the specific vehicle testers 74a, 74b, 74c comprises in each case an integrated VCI 73a, 73b, 73c, by means of which, via a standardized vehicle interface, not shown, communication with the

electronic control devices 72 in the vehicle 71 is produced. This eliminates the need to operate a separate universal diagnostic tester in parallel with the vehicle test device as in FIG. 6. However, a separate identification of the vehicle 71 at the different workstations 75a, 75b, 75c by the respective integrated VCI 73a, 73b, 73c is necessary. In addition, the respective vehicle test devices 74a, 74b, 74c, in particular their test device software, must be adapted to the integrated VCI 73a, 73b, 73c. At a workstation without a specific vehicle tester, a universal diagnostic tester with integrated VCI can still be used.

Disclosure of the invention

The invention is based on the idea of carrying out the identification of a vehicle, which is required for a large number of work steps in a workshop or testing station, only once at the beginning of the workshop run or test run. Once the vehicle is identified via unique identification data, the stored unique identification data in the VCI connected to the vehicle and carried with the vehicle from work to workplace in the workshop. For this purpose, the VCI remains in the respective vehicle until the end of the workshop run.

During the workshop run, existing vehicle testing devices and / or universal operating and display devices can initiate communication with the VCI of the vehicle located at the workstation, retrieve the clear identification data of the vehicle and, for example, exchange diagnostic information with the vehicle control devices. This saves the respective user of the vehicle testing device and / or the universal operating and display device the installation and removal of the VCI as well as the times for a complex identification of the vehicle and for the establishment of communication with the control units installed in the vehicle. In this way, on the one hand the vehicle inspection and / or the fault diagnosis can be started faster, on the other hand, errors in the manual vehicle detection can be avoided.

The inventive method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop according to claim 1 in this case comprises a connection of a mobile communication interface (VCI) and a first

Vehicle testing device to the vehicle at a first workstation, establishing a communication link between the VCI and the first vehicle inspection device, establishing a communication link between the VCI and the electronic control units in the vehicle, identifying the vehicle for the diagnostic purposes, in particular for the ECU communication, a storage identification data for the vehicle in the VCI, performing first tests on the vehicle with the first vehicle test apparatus and / or the VCI, separating the first

Vehicle testing device of the vehicle, and connecting a second

Vehicle testing device to the vehicle at a second workplace, reading the identification data from the VCI in the second vehicle test and performing second tests on the vehicle with the second vehicle test and / or the VCI

At the first and the second workstations, the user of the respective first or second vehicle test device preferably has unique identification and / or diagnostic data of VCI-equipped vehicles located in the workshop displayed. It is particularly advantageous if the clear identification data is displayed at the respective first or second workstation as a function of the proximity of the respective vehicle to the workstation. Thus, a preselection of eligible vehicles is made near the respective workplace from all currently in the workshop vehicles, so that the risk of misidentification is reduced.

According to another embodiment of the invention is a VCI for

Identifying, diagnosing, servicing and repairing a vehicle provided in a workshop, with a connection device that is adapted to connect a VCI to a standardized vehicle interface of a vehicle in a workshop, a memory device that is designed to provide unique identification data of the to be identified and connected In addition to storing vehicle, and a communication device which is designed to control the VCI of test equipment in the workshop and transmit identification and diagnostic data of the connected vehicle to the test equipment in the workshop.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a system for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle is provided in a workshop, having a VCI according to the invention, and a multiplicity of

Fahrzeugprüfgeräten, each with different Fahrzeugprüfmodulen and a diagnostic server device for establishing a communication with the VCI, an operating and display device of the vehicle Prüfgerätes for controlling the

Vehicle test modules and the VCI, and different vehicle test modules, which are designed to be tester-specific based on the identification and diagnostic data and diagnostic results of the specific vehicle test modules

Perform vehicle checks on the vehicle.

Preferred developments are the subject of the respective subclaims.

The above embodiments and developments can, if appropriate, combine with each other as desired. Further possible refinements, developments and implementations of the invention also include combinations which have not been explicitly cited and which are described above or below with regard to the exemplary embodiments

Features of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a VCI according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. a schematic representation of the software architecture of a VCI and a diagnostic server device according to another embodiment of the invention; a schematic representation of the structure of a workshop workstation with a system according to another embodiment of the invention; a schematic representation of a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in one

Workshop on a VCI according to another embodiment of the invention; a schematic representation of a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in one

Workshop on a VCI according to another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of a conventional

Vehicle test equipment construction in a workshop;

Fig. 7 is a schematic representation of another conventional

Vehicle test equipment construction in a workshop; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic representation of a Fahrzeugprüfgeräteaufbaus i

Workshop according to an embodiment of the invention. In the figures of the drawing are identical and functionally identical elements, features and components - unless otherwise stated - each with the same

Provided with reference numerals. It is understood that components and elements in the drawings are not for the sake of clarity and clarity

necessarily reproduced to scale to each other.

Detailed description of the invention

Vehicle testing devices in the sense of this application are not limited to special ones

Vehicle testers set. For example, you can use wheel alignment testers,

Engine testers, emission testers, brake testers, shock absorber testers,

Lane checkers, weighing devices, brake fluid testing devices, sound level meters, diesel smoke tester, chassis gauges, toe angle testers, steering angle testers, air conditioning testers, and the like. These vehicle testing devices can be used in workshops, in particular motor vehicle workshops, testing stations or similar facilities. In particular, the methods and devices of the invention are equally useful in these devices.

In the following, communication interfaces for vehicles are described, which in the context of this application are referred to as "vehicle communication interface", in short VCI. In particular, these communication interfaces are mobile interfaces that can be carried with the vehicle in a workshop from workplace to workplace. Fig. 8 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle Prüfgeräteaufbaus in one

Workshop according to an embodiment of the invention.

A vehicle 10, in particular a motor vehicle, comprises one or more electronic control units 10a. The electronic control unit (s) 10a may include specific vehicle specific component control units or universal electronic control units 10a of the vehicle 10. The electronic

Control units 10a may have a standardized, not shown

Vehicle interface diagnostic data, error data, actual values, Betnebszustandsdaten or similar vehicle-related data for specific vehicle components ready and put into certain operating conditions or procedures. The electronic control unit or units 10a are connected to a VCI 1 via a standardized vehicle interface (not shown). The VCI 1 can be connected to the vehicle 10 at the beginning of a workshop run, for example in the vehicle acceptance. The VCI 1 may be designed to be unique

Identification data of the vehicle 10 to memory, for example, vehicle owner, registration plate, vehicle brand, vehicle make, VIN or similar identification data. The unique identification data can be reentered in the vehicle acceptance of the workshop by means of a universal control and display device or taken from a previous workshop visit from a central workshop database.

The VCI 1 is configured to be carried with the vehicle 10 in the workshop when the vehicle 10 passes through the workstations 42, 43, 44. To the

Workplaces 42, 43, 44 are each specific vehicle test equipment or universal control and display devices 3a, 3b, 3c, which with a uniform

Diagnostic server device 2 are equipped. The diagnostic server device 2 is in each case designed to establish communication with the VCI 1 and thus with the electronic control unit or devices 10 a of the vehicle 10. The specific vehicle testing devices 3 a, 3 b, 3 c can at each workstation with respective

Vehicle components of the vehicle 10 for performing the diagnostic and / or

Repair work on the vehicle 10 are connected.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a VCI 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. The VCI 1 is arranged in a housing 1 1 and comprises a

Microprocessor 12, a connector 13 with a connector 14 for connecting the VCI 1 with a standardized vehicle interface in a vehicle, a memory device 15 for storing unique identification data of the vehicle to be connected, and a communication device 16 for establishing a communication link with diagnostic server devices 2 of specific vehicle test equipment.

The microprocessor 12 is designed to evaluate control commands for the VCI 1 and the connection device 13, the memory device 15 and the

Control communication device 16. The microprocessor 12 can

Of course, also include a microcontroller, an ASIC or similar device. The connection device 13 can be designed to have interfaces for diagnostic bus systems of the vehicle to be connected on a lower communication layer, in particular the physical layer

provide. The diagnostic bus systems can be used to address vehicle electronic control units.

The memory device 15 can be enlarged compared to conventional VCI

Have storage volume to provide a corresponding amount of space for the unique identification data of the vehicle and configuration data of the

Microprocessor 12, the connecting device 13 and the communication device 16 to store. The memory device 15 comprises corresponding software 17, which is specific to the operation of the VCI 1. The software 17 will be described in greater detail below with reference to FIG.

The communication device 16 is designed to establish a communication link with diagnostic server devices 2 of specific vehicle test devices. For this purpose, the communication device 16 may comprise means for establishing a wired or wireless connection, for example a radio module for Bluetooth or WLAN, an infrared interface, an RFI D transponder or the like.

The VCI 1 does not include any operating and display elements in the present example. The operating and display elements can be provided, for example, via the vehicle testers or universal operating and display devices to be connected to the VCI 1. Of course, it may also be possible to equip the VCI 1 with its own operating and display elements.

2 shows a schematic representation of the software architecture of a VCI,

in particular the VCI 1, and a diagnostic server device 2 according to another embodiment of the invention.

The software 17, which may be stored in a memory device 15 of the VCI 1 of FIG. 1, comprises a first communication layer 25, a memory software 26, a protocol software 27 and a second communication layer 28. The individual software components 25, 26, 27 and 28 can in a software code be summarized. It is also possible that the software has 17 additional software components.

The first communication layer 25 is configured to establish communication with a communication layer 24 of a diagnostic server device 2 and to control the VCI. The storage software 26 is configured to receive, store, and manage unique identification data for the vehicle 10. The unique identification data can preferably be held for the duration of a workshop stay of the vehicle 10 and output as needed via the diagnostic server device 2 to specific vehicle test equipment.

The protocol software 27 is designed to provide necessary protocols for communication with the vehicle 10 and / or the diagnostic server device 2. The second communication layer 28 is designed to be manufactured via the connection device 13 in FIG. 1 with control devices in the vehicle 10

Control communication links.

The diagnostic server device 2 includes a software component

Communication layer 21, a software interface 22, a diagnostic server software 23 and a second communication layer 24th

The second communication layer 24 may communicate with the first one

Communication layer 25 of the software 17 of the VCI 1 serve. The second

Communication layer 24 of diagnostic server device 2 may further be configured to register which VCI 1 is within range of the diagnostic server device

2 containing vehicle testing device are located. This information may change dynamically with the movement of a plurality of VCI 1 vehicles within a workshop. In particular, the VCI 1 may be configured via communication devices 16 to transmit their presence via beacon signals to the respective ones

Display diagnostic server devices 2 in a workshop. The range of the VCI 1 can be predetermined.

The first communication layer 21 of the diagnostic server device 2 may be configured to provide an interface for specific vehicle test devices, in particular for the vehicle test device in which the diagnostic server device 2 is integrated. The first communication layer 21 may be configured to perform functions to provide the ECU communication. This includes, for example, the

Reading out errors, actual values, operating status data, deleting and

Overriding values in ECUs, such as service intervals, error registers, actuator controls, performing complex test procedures such as steering angle calibration, ABS sensor testing, a

Pump test, a brake circuit vent and the like. The first

Communication layer 21 is further configured to be unique

Forward vehicle identifications from the electronic control units of the vehicle 10 to be connected to the specific vehicle testers and the VCI. The first communication layer 21 can be tuned to the specific vehicle tester, for example, by a preconfigured tester parameter set, which can be retrieved from the vehicle tester.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of the structure of a workshop workstation with a system according to another embodiment of the invention.

Shown are a vehicle 10 to which a VCI 1 of Fig. 1 is connected. The vehicle 10 is located on a workstation in a workshop or testing center on which a corresponding vehicle test device 3 is present. The vehicle test device 3 comprises a test module 31, a control computer 32 with control software 33, a

Operating device 34 and a display device 35. The vehicle inspection device 3 can be connected via cables, sensors, hoses and similar suitable connection means 37 to the vehicle 10 or with vehicle components of the vehicle 10 such as the exhaust, the engine, the air conditioner, the brake system or the like , The vehicle inspection device 3 can be arranged in a housing 36. The

Fahrzeugprüfgerät 3 may be housed for example in a carriage or be firmly connected to the workplace with the workshop floor.

The test module 31 may include a specific vehicle test module that performs predefined tests or diagnostics on particular vehicle components of the vehicle

Vehicle 10 may perform, such as engine tests, suspension measurement, air conditioning maintenance or the like. The control computer 32 may be adapted to the corresponding specific functions of the test module 31 using the

Control software 33 to control. The control software 33 is shown in greater detail in the remote box in FIG. The control software 33 includes a software layer 33a for operating the

Vehicle tester 3 and for visualization of the test procedures and results, a software layer 33b for controlling the test procedures, a first communication layer 33d, the communication between the test sequence control by the

Software layer 33b and the test module 31, a second communication layer 33e, which establishes a communication of the test sequence control by the software layer 33b and the diagnostic server device 2, a diagnostic server device 2 shown in FIG. 2 and a detection software component 38th

The software layers 33a and 33b for operation, display and test sequence control can also be integrated in a common software layer 33c. The second communication layer 33e may be a software component for communicating with the user, a software component for establishing communication with the user

Diagnostic server device 2, a software component for the communication of

Test sequence control with the diagnostic server device 2 during a test procedure and a Prüfgeräte parameter set.

The communication layer 33e may be adapted to a user of the

Vehicle tester 3 via the display unit 35 to display a list of vehicles 10 whose VCI 1 is within reach of the diagnostic server device 2 and the respective workstation. Thus, the user can select the correct vehicle from the list of candidate vehicles 10 via the operating device 34. Preferably, by selecting a vehicle 10 on a vehicle testing device 3, the corresponding VCI 1 for selection at other workplaces or with others

Vehicle testers are locked. Thus, advantageously, errors in a vehicle selection can be prevented.

The communication layer 33e may already be stored at the beginning of the actual test procedure in preceding work steps of the workshop process

Identification data received from the VCI 1 of the vehicle 10 and to the

Pass on software layer 33b to the test sequence control. As a result, the test procedure can advantageously be adapted automatically to the vehicle 10. Furthermore, during the test run, the communication layer 33e can control functions in electronic control units of the vehicle 10 and diagnostic data during the test Pass test passes dynamically from the electronic control units of the vehicle 10 to the software layer 33b.

The communication layer 33e can furthermore advantageously receive preconfigured parameters of the specific test module 31 in order to selectively activate or deactivate certain functions of the electronic control units of the vehicle 10. As a result, the usually large range of functionality of the electronic control units can be advantageously required for the respective test run

Functions are broken down to errors in the operation of the

Vehicle Tester 3 by the user to avoid.

The acquisition software component 38 may be configured to manage all of the VCI 1 currently being used in the workshop or test site and their connected vehicles 10. Further, the acquisition software component 38 may be configured to provide unique identification data of the vehicle such as holder, license plate,

Chassis number and the like to capture and store in the VCI 1. It is not necessary for the acquisition software component 38 in each of the

Vehicle testing 3 is provided, it may also be possible, only one of the vehicle test equipment in a workshop, preferably a tester in the

Vehicle assumption to equip with the detection software component 38. Furthermore, it may also be possible to provide a universal operating and display device such as a laptop, a PDA or a smartphone with the acquisition software component 38 instead of a vehicle testing device 3. 4 shows a schematic representation of a method for identifying

Diagnosing (testing), maintaining and repairing a vehicle 10 in a workshop with a VCI 1 according to FIG. 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention. The flow of the method of FIG. 4 will be described in relation to the steps of the schematic diagram of a method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop via a VCI 1 according to another shown in FIG

Embodiment of the invention explained in more detail.

After taking over the customer or vehicle data in the workshop system (step 51 a) and the query of the error symptoms at the customer (step 51 b) is at a first workstation 41, for example, the vehicle acceptance of a workshop, the waiting or to be repaired vehicle 10th connected to a VCI 1 (step 51c). At The first workstation 41 may be provided with a first vehicle testing device 3 a, which is equipped with a uniform diagnostic server device 2. The first vehicle testing device 3 a may, for example, be a universal operating and display device which is used for a quick diagnosis of the vehicle 10. At the first workstation 41, in addition to the input of the vehicle or the customer into the vehicle testing device or the universal operating and display device 3a (step 51d), further unique vehicle identification data are determined (step 51e) and via the vehicle testing device 3a with the diagnostic server device 2 transferred to the VCI 1, in which the identification data are stored at least for the duration of the workshop run (step 51f) - For this purpose, a detection software component 38, as shown in Fig. 3, be stored in a control computer of the vehicle testing device 3a. Furthermore, for example, with a detection of all error memory entries in the

electronic ECUs of the vehicle 10 with the VCI 1 a quick diagnosis (step 51g), after the completion of a result log (step 51 h) is printed. The workshop order can then be coordinated with the customer (step 51 i).

Thereafter, the vehicle 10 is transferred to a second workstation 42 within the workshop. The VCI 1 is not separated from the vehicle 10 and with the

Vehicle 10 carried. The second workstation 42 may be, for example, a workstation for diagnosis and troubleshooting (step 52). At the second workstation 42 is a second vehicle tester or universal control and display device 3b with an integrated diagnostic server 2. The second vehicle tester 3b establishes communication with the VCI 1 and reads the stored unique ones

Identification data automatically from the VCI 1 out. To carry out troubleshooting

(Step 52a) may be provided that, depending on the specified by the customer

Error symptoms (step 51 b) or the results of the quick diagnosis (step 51g) at the second workstation 42 with the VCI 1 and the vehicle tester 3b further specific diagnostic steps for troubleshooting the vehicle 10 are performed. For example, a faulty steering angle sensor can be identified (step

52b), and after troubleshooting, a result log is again created (step 52c).

Thereafter, the vehicle 10, again together with the VCI 1, to a third

Workstation 43 spent with a third Fahrzeugprüfgerät or a universal control and display device 3c. The third workstation 43 can, for example, a

Be a repair job. After the procurement of a spare part (step 53a), can the third workstation, for example, a defective vehicle component, for example, a defective steering angle sensor, removed (step 53b) and replaced by a spare part (step 53c). About the vehicle tester 3c can be using the

Diagnostic server 2 a communication with the VCI 1 and thus with one or more electronic control units in the vehicle 10 are made so that, for example, the new steering angle sensor in the corresponding electronic control unit of the vehicle 10 can be registered or trained (step 53d).

Thereafter, a result log is again created (step 53e). After the repair, the vehicle 10 is moved to a fourth workstation 44 where, for example, the vehicle geometry of the vehicle 10 is measured (step 54a) and the landing gear can be adjusted (step 54b). For this purpose, a fourth vehicle testing device 3d, for example a test device, is to be attached to the fourth workstation 44

Wheel alignment provided. With the aid of the communication between the fourth vehicle test apparatus 4d and the VCI 1, the newly installed steering angle sensor can be calibrated automatically by the vehicle tester 3d after completion of the wheel alignment and adjustment (step 54d), since the required identification data of the vehicle 10 are already present in the VCI 1. The identification data of the vehicle 10 can also be used already for the preparation of the measurement and adjustment of the chassis. After creating a result log (step 54e), upon completion of the workshop pass, the VCI 1 may be disconnected from the vehicle 10 again (step 54e). In a step 55, the workshop order can then be completed and the data and result logs of the workshop run in a central workshop system for Neither use in a new workshop visit the customer or the vehicle 10 are stored.

With the aid of the VCI 1 according to the invention and the method according to the invention for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle in a workshop, numerous advantages are associated. The required for the ECU communication identification of the vehicle is performed only once per workshop visit and expanded only when needed at individual workstations or with individual Fahrzeugprüfgeräten. This leads to a considerable saving of time in the workshop cycle. The once recorded vehicle identification data are equally available at each workstation, since they are carried by the vehicle via the VCI from workstation to workstation. The risk of incorrect operation or incorrect entries in the identification of vehicles is reduced because, on the one hand, the identification data On the other hand, each vehicle in the workshop can only be actively called up for processing at a single workstation. Specific vehicle test equipment and universal control and display devices can be equipped with a common diagnostic server device, and it is not a complex adaptation process to the particular circumstances of the individual

Vehicle tester necessary.

Depending on the scope of functions of the respective workplace, the

Control software of the vehicle tester only activate those functions in communication with the electronic control units of the vehicle, which are also required for the respective workstation. This allows a simple and convenient handling of the specific vehicle testers or universal operating and display devices at specific workstations in the workshop. For the users of the vehicle test equipment at the workplaces, the necessary qualification in dealing with the control unit communication is reduced, since the communication between the electronic control units in the vehicle and the vehicle test equipment can run largely automatically and in the background.

Claims

claims

1. A method for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a

Vehicle (10) in a workshop, with the steps:

Connecting a mobile communication interface (1) to the vehicle (10) and connecting a first vehicle testing device (3a) at least with the mobile

Communication interface (1) at a first workstation (41);

Acquisition of identification data for the vehicle (10) with the first

Vehicle testing device (3a) and storing the identification data for the vehicle (10) in the mobile communication interface (1);

Performing first tests on the vehicle (10) with the first vehicle test device (3a) and / or the mobile communication interface (1);

Separating the first vehicle testing device (3a) from the vehicle (10);

Connecting a second vehicle testing device (3b) to the vehicle (10) and

Reading the identification data from the mobile communication interface (1) into the second vehicle testing device (3b) at a second workstation (42); and

Performing second tests on the vehicle (10) with the second

Vehicle testing device (3b) and / or the mobile communication interface (1) connected to the vehicle (10).

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

Connecting a universal control and display device to the vehicle (10) and reading the identification data from the mobile communication interface (1) in the universal control and display device; and performing further tests on the vehicle (10) with the universal control and display device and the mobile communication interface (1) connected to the vehicle (10) at a third workstation (43).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first vehicle test device (3a) and / or the second vehicle test device (3b) and / or the universal operating and

Display device via a standard diagnostic server device (2) for establishing a communication with the mobile communication interface (1) and by means of the d the mobile communication interface (1) with the electronic control units installed in the vehicle (10).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at the first (42) and the second workstation (43) to the user of the respective first (3a) or second vehicle testing device (3b) identification data in mobile

Communication interfaces (1) of in-vehicle vehicles (10) are displayed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein displaying the identification data at the respective first (42) or second workstation (43) in dependence on the proximity of the respective vehicle (10) with the mobile connected thereto

Communication interface (1) to the workstation (42; 43) takes place.

6. Mobile communication interface (1) for identifying a vehicle (10) and for communicating with the built-in vehicle (10) electronic

Control units in a workshop, with:

connecting means (13; 14) adapted to connect a vehicle (10) in a workshop to the mobile communication interface (1);

a memory device (15) which is designed to store identification data of the vehicle (10) to be identified and connected; and a communication device (16) which is designed to transmit the identification data to vehicle testing devices (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d) and to transmit information between the electronic control devices installed in the vehicle (10) and the

Vehicle testing devices (3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) to be exchanged at different workstations in the workshop.

7. Mobile communication interface (1) according to claim 6, wherein the mobile

Communication interface (1) is designed to be carried along with the vehicle to be connected (10) in the workshop.

8. System for identifying, diagnosing, maintaining and repairing a vehicle (10) in a workshop, comprising:

a mobile communication interface (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7; and

a plurality of vehicle testing devices (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d) each having:

a diagnostic server device (2) for establishing a communication with the mobile communication interface (1) and by means of the mobile Communication interface (1) with built in the vehicle (10)

electronic control units;

an operating and display device (34, 35) for controlling the

Vehicle testing device (3; 3a; 3b; 3c; 3d) and the mobile

Communication interface (1); and

different vehicle test modules (31), which are designed to test equipment-specific on the basis of the unique identification data

Perform vehicle checks on the vehicle (10).