FR3115750A1 - Integrated system for diagnosis and maintenance of vehicles and their management in a vehicle repair shop - Google Patents

Abstract

Integrated vehicle diagnostic, maintenance and repair system and management thereof in a vehicle maintenance and repair shop, in which an incoming vehicle is first positioned at a first station and then moved to at least a second station , said integrated system comprising a radio system and at least two different workshop devices. The radioelectric system comprises a plurality of signal transmitters, disposed in workshop devices, at least one signal receiver, disposed in at least one of said workshop devices, and a computer machine configured to receive signals from said transmitters, to transmit signals to said at least one receiver, and to collect and analyze the information represented by said signals. One of the shop machines may be a moving device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

Description

Integrated system for diagnosis and maintenance of vehicles and their management in a vehicle repair shop

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to the field of vehicle maintenance and repair workshops, and in particular to the management of the fleet of workshop devices and the space available in such a vehicle maintenance and repair workshop. More specifically, the invention relates to an integrated system for the diagnosis and maintenance of vehicles and their management in a vehicle maintenance and repair workshop, making it possible to optimize the occupation of the various workshop devices and the parking space available, and ultimately increasing the occupancy rate of workstations.

The invention uses for this purpose a radio system which integrates the various workshop devices as well as a central computer machine.

State of the art

There are many documents describing computer management systems of a vehicle repair shop. By way of example, documents DE 102 012720 8471 (Vitesco Technologies), US 9,538,362 (Audi), WO 2014/077 312, WO 2012/168 071, WO 2012/110 262 and WO 2009/053 179 (Bosch), US 8,924,071 (Ford), US 9,117,319 (Innova Electronics) and EP 1,953,617 (Denso) describe systems which recover data and alert messages collected or generated by the vehicle's on-board computer. Documents US 2019/02 660 809, US 9,477,950 and WO 2015/035 056 (Snap On Tools) describe communication networks intended to establish a technical report on a vehicle, which gathers measurement results obtained by different devices.

While the various approaches described in these documents can facilitate certain management and diagnostic tasks in a vehicle repair shop, none of the embodiments described in these documents makes it possible to specifically facilitate the management of the occupation of workstations and parking spaces in a car maintenance and repair shop. This is the purpose of the invention described in this document.

Objects of the invention

According to the invention, the problem is solved by an integrated system for the diagnosis, maintenance and repair of vehicles and their management in a vehicle maintenance and repair workshop, in which an incoming vehicle is first positioned at a first position and then moved to at least a second position,

said system comprising a radio system and at least two different workshop devices,

• said radio system comprising
  • a plurality of signal transmitters, arranged in workshop devices,
  • at least one signal receiver, arranged in at least one of said workshop devices,
  • a computer machine (known as the “central computer machine”) configured to receive signals from said transmitters, to transmit signals to said at least one receiver, and to collect and analyze the information represented by said signals,
• at least two of said at least two of said workshop devices being selected from a first group formed by:
  • a tire scanner located at a station,
  • a scanner of the body of a vehicle, said scanner being installed at a station,
  • a camera configured to take shots of a vehicle at a station,
  • a braking bench or a suspension bench or a braking and suspension bench, located at a station,
  • a geometry bench located at a station,
  • a straightening bench located at a post,
  • a paint booth located at a station,
  • a device for checking and adjusting headlights located at a station,
  • a vehicle washing station, in particular with rollers, located at a station,
  • a moving device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

This integrated system represents a first object of the patent.

Advantageously, said system is configured so that a displacement device moves the vehicle from a first station to a second station.

Another object is a method for using said system in a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance workshop.

Brief description of figures

Figures 1 to 7 illustrate different aspects of the invention, but do not limit its scope.

schematically shows, seen from above, two workshop device positions occupied by a vehicle.

schematically shows, seen from above, two workshop device positions occupied by a vehicle, the first position comprising two different workshop devices.

schematically shows, seen from above, two workshop machine stations and a parking space occupied by a vehicle.

shows a variation of the embodiment of the .

schematically shows, seen from above, two workshop machine stations, preceded by a vehicle deposit box, occupied by a vehicle.

shows a variation of the embodiment of the .

schematically shows a radio network according to the invention.

The following reference numerals are used in the figures and in the description:

10 Vehicle

101,102,103 Workshop device positions, also positions

111 Tire scanner

112 Body scanner (112’ end position of scanner)

113 Headlamp checking and adjustment device

115 Camera

117 Brake tester

119 Geometry bench

121,122,123,124 Parking positions

130 Obstacle (wall)

160 Central Computer Machine

180,181,182,183,184, 185,186,187 Wireless link

200,205,210 Vehicle travel paths

300 Vehicle deposit boxes

301,302 Stall Entry and Exit Doors 300

400 Vehicle moving device

The dotted lines indicate a radio link.

detailed description

Said workshop devices are preferably selected from the group formed by a tire scanner, a vehicle body scanner, at least one camera configured to take pictures of a vehicle, a brake test bench or a suspension bench or a braking and suspension bench, a geometry bench, a straightening bench, a paint booth, a device for checking and adjusting headlights, a vehicle washing station, in particular with rollers, a moving device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

Each of these breakout devices can be at a station. Two or more different pieces of equipment can be found at the same station. For example, a camera can be at any of the stations. Some of these devices may also not be at a station, in which case they are mobile.

By way of example, to determine the degree of wear of the tires of the vehicle, it is possible either to use a mobile scanner, integrated into the radioelectric network according to the invention, which will be brought, positioned, used and carried away by the technician, or one can use a fixed scanner installed on the ground, at a station; this fixed scanner is also integrated into the radio network. Said station can be a station dedicated to this fixed scanner device, or a station at which one or more other workshop devices are located, for example a braking station or a body scanner.

The integrated vehicle diagnostic and maintenance system according to the invention may comprise several workshop devices of the same type; this will be the case in particular for workshops of a certain size and vehicle capacity.

The integrated vehicle diagnostic and maintenance system according to the invention comprises a radio system. The latter comprises at least a plurality of signal transmitters disposed in at least one workshop device, a computer machine configured to receive and process the signals transmitted by said transmitters, and at least one signal receiver disposed in a workshop. At least one of the transmitters can be a transmitter-receiver.

Signal transmitters are arranged in workshop devices. Their function is to transmit to the central computer machine data generated and/or recorded by the workshop device in which the transmitter is located. These data can be raw data or data preprocessed by the device in which said transmitter is located. For example, the tire scanner can be configured to transmit data on the state of tire wear; the body scanner can be configured to transmit data on defects in the body.

The central computing machine includes software that analyzes the data.

The movement device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position is advantageously a translation device. The vehicle translation device may be a device guided by mechanical, magnetic or electromagnetic interaction with a fixed guide device, which may or may not be continuous (such as a guide rail fixed to the ground, or a traction cable , or a set of wall-mounted radar beacons). The vehicle translation device can also be a remote-controlled device, for example by a wired or wireless connection with an operator or an external microcontroller. The vehicle translation device can also be a self-guided device. It may include artificial vision devices, typically at least one camera connected to a microcontroller on which software is running which uses the images and which generates instructions for said autonomously guided device; it may include other sensors, which may use radar, lidar or ultrasound technologies.

By way of example, the vehicle translation device can be a conveyor guided by at least one guide rail fixed to the floor or to the wall or to columns, or by at least one magnetic frame fixed to the floor of the workshop. The translation device may comprise a trolley or a platform on wheels (possibly using wheel-rail technology) on which the front and/or rear wheels of the vehicle to be translated are placed, and/or said device may comprise a platform on wheels which lifts the vehicle, for example by lifting at least two wheels, at least one axle, or the bodywork. To this end, by way of example, said translation device may comprise a substantially longitudinal structure which can be slid under the vehicle, comprising laterally retractable systems capable of gripping the tires of the vehicle to immobilize them, and designed to lift the wheels vehicles; when the wheels no longer have contact with the ground, said translation device can then move the vehicle by translation.

The precise nature of the device configured to move a vehicle is not limited within the scope of the present invention. The function of said device is to move the vehicle at least from a first position to a second position. Said first position may be one of the workshop device positions or a first parking position. Said second position may be another workshop device station, visited by said vehicle after said first station, or may be a second parking position. This second parking position, which can be identical to the first parking position or different, can be adopted by the vehicle while waiting for repair or maintenance work, or while waiting for the customer who comes to collect his vehicle.

The use of a device configured to move a vehicle is advantageous in various situations, and a few of these situations will be described by way of example.

In an advantageous embodiment, the vehicle is positioned on a tire scanner station installed on the ground. A camera takes a shot of the license plate, transmits it to the central computer of the workshop using its transmitter and using the radio network which is part of the system according to the invention. The workshop computer identifies the registration number, and thus identifies the vehicle in the workshop management system. When the scanner has performed its measurement, the transmitter associated with the scanner transmits the result to the workshop computer, using said radio network. Then the vehicle is moved to the body scanner, which determines the presence of body damage. The data is transmitted to the workshop computer. Then the vehicle is moved to the braking station, where the brakes are tested; the results are transmitted to the workshop computer. Then, the vehicle is translated to a parking position.

The first advantage of using a translation device in the system according to the invention is that it can be configured so as not to require the intervention of an operator. In fact, the system can be designed so that in the sequence described above, the first intervention by an operator takes place at the braking station, for the purposes of the braking test. Transport to the parking position can be done advantageously by a suitable translation device. In fact, translation systems are known in the state of the art which make it possible to densify a parking area, that is to say that, given the fact that no operator no longer needs to access to the vehicle, they can be parked closer to each other, which saves space on a parking area: more vehicles can be parked per surface unit. This represents a second advantage of using a translation device in the system according to the invention.

In a first variant of the invention, said devices are at least two in number, of which a first device is a tire scanner and a second device is a geometry bench. Said tire scanner may be a ground scanner. The devices can be arranged at different positions or not. In the first case, the vehicle must be moved from a first position corresponding to said first station to a second position corresponding to a second station to be in functional contact with each of said devices.

In a second variant, said devices are at least two in number, of which a first device is a tire scanner and a second device is a bodywork scanner. Said tire scanner is advantageously a ground scanner.

In a third variant, said devices are at least two in number, of which a first device is a bodywork scanner and a second device is a camera. Said camera is advantageously a license plate reading camera; for this purpose it is connected to a microcontroller equipped with character recognition software.

In a fourth variant, said devices are at least three in number, of which a first device is a bodywork scanner, a second device is a tire scanner, and a third device is a camera. Said tire scanner is advantageously a ground scanner. Said camera is advantageously a license plate reading camera; for this purpose it is connected to a microcontroller equipped with character recognition software.

In general, and more specifically in each of these four variant embodiments cited purely by way of example, the devices may or may not be arranged at different positions. In the first case, the vehicle must be moved from a first position corresponding to said first station to a second position corresponding to a second station to be in functional contact with each of said devices.

The system according to the invention can comprise several cameras, which can have different functions. In addition to the function of identifying the vehicle by identifying its registration number read by the camera (associated with character recognition software) on its registration plate, other cameras can be provided for other functions. For example, cameras can be provided which take pictures of the vehicle to observe the condition of the bodywork, in particular the presence of scratches, dents, and other damage. These shots can serve as an observation of the initial state of the car, as it entered the workshop; they can thus be integrated into the intervention form (which typically takes the form of a computer file). They can also be exploited by an automatic system which determines the necessary repairs, which determines the cost and which sends a detailed proposal to the customer for validation.

In general, and more specifically in each of these four variant embodiments, one of the devices is a movement device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

The invention is illustrated with the aid of figures, which however have no limiting character.

The schematically shows, seen from above, two stations 101,102 of workshop devices 111,112 occupied by a vehicle 10. The first station 101 comprises a first workshop device, in this case a tire scanner 111, installed at the ground. The second station 102 comprises a second workshop device, in this case a body scanner 112; the latter is typically in the form of a gantry which performs an optical scan of the bodywork during its linear displacement from an initial position 112 to an end position 112'.

The arrow 205 represents the trajectory of the movement (translation) of the vehicle 10 from the position of the first station 101 to the position of the second station 102 .

The schematically shows, seen from above, two stations 101,102 of workshop devices occupied by a vehicle 10, the first station 101 comprising two different workshop devices 111,22, namely a tire scanner 111 installed on the ground and a body scanner 112 of the same type as that described in connection with the . The second station 102 comprises a device for checking and adjusting the headlights 113. As in the the arrow 205 indicates the trajectory of the movement of the vehicle 10 from the position of the first station 101 to the position of the second station 102.

The shows two stations 101,102 having the same characteristics as those of the . When the work on the second station 102 is finished, the vehicle 10 is moved (translated) from its position 102 to a parking position 121, along a trajectory 210.

The movement of the vehicle can be done by means of propulsion specific to the vehicle, under the control of a driver who sits in the vehicle. Preferably, in the context of the present invention, the displacement takes place, for all the trajectories or only certain trajectories, using a displacement device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

For a linear device, it is possible to use, for example, a trolley on which the vehicle is placed, either with all its wheels, or only with two wheels, or even by lifting the vehicle by a platform coming from below. This carriage can then move, for example on rollers or according to a wheel-rail technology; it can be moved, for example, by a cable or a rack. Any suitable technology can be implemented as a movement device, and vehicle movement systems operating according to different technologies are commercially available. In the context of the present invention, said movement device can be directed by an operator on land, for example from a mobile terminal of known type, or it can be completely automated, at least for certain movements, and in particular for entry and exit of the vehicle from its parking space.

The shows a particular advantage of the use of a movement device: such a method makes it possible to park the vehicle 10 on a narrow location 121 because there is no need to open a door of the vehicle 10 to allow a driver to get out, and the movement of the vehicle 10 is neither limited by the turning radius of the vehicle, nor by the geometry of the maneuver. Thus, the vehicle 10 can be parked very close to an obstacle 130 such as a wall, on a narrow location 121 . The method according to the invention therefore makes it possible both to accelerate the passage from one station of workshop devices to another, and to increase the density of vehicles in the parking spaces.

The shows a variation of the embodiment of the , in which the vehicle is not first positioned on the first position of a workshop device station, but parked on a waiting position 121 of a parking area (the layout of which is a little different from that of the ). When the organization of the workshop allows it, the vehicle is moved from this waiting position, along a path marked by the arrow 200, to the first position of a workshop device station 101, and the sequence of operations described in relation to the is executed.

That mounts a camera 115, suspended high in front of the first station 101; the dotted lines represent its field of vision. This camera is connected to an image and character recognition system, of known type; it allows to read the license plate of the vehicle.

This camera can be located anywhere. It can be located on a dedicated station or, as on the , close to another substation. In the context of the method according to the invention, it is very advantageous for the vehicle to be identified by the integrated system for diagnosis, maintenance and repair of vehicles and their management at the very beginning of the sequence of operations. In other words: in the context of the invention, it is desired to avoid carrying out operations with a vehicle which has not been previously identified by the system.

The also schematically shows a device 400 for moving a vehicle 10; this device 400 can be used in all embodiments of the invention. Although the proportions in these figures should be considered arbitrary, this figure suggests that the footprint of this mover 400, with respect to its overall width, may be such that it is only slightly larger than the overall width of the vehicle 10 itself. This allows the vehicle to be stored in a narrow location 121.

More specifically, the system according to the invention can make it possible, subject to the choice of an appropriate displacement device, to park the vehicle in a parking space the width does not exceed 120%, and preferably does not exceed 115%, and even more preferably does not exceed 110% of the maximum overall width of said vehicle.

The shows another embodiment of the invention which is compatible with all the others. Items 102 and 103 correspond to items 101 and 102, respectively, of the . The position of the first post 102 is preceded by a position 101 which is a vehicle deposit box. This deposit box is a garage 300 closed by an entrance door 301 and an exit door 302, the two doors being located on opposite sides of the box 300. The customer can deposit his vehicle in this box at any time, and especially outside the opening hours of the workshop. Either the translation device transports the vehicle automatically to another position within the site to release the box, or the vehicle spends the night safely in this box. To drop it off, the customer opens the door (for example using a code sent to him by SMS or e-mail), drops off his vehicle and closes the entrance door 301 hermetically.

When the workshop opens, the vehicle is taken out of the box, following the trajectory 203 , and placed in position 102 which corresponds to the first position of workshop devices; This item is a 112 body scanner.

The shows a variant of this embodiment, in which the initial inventory of the vehicle body is not established by a body scanner but by a set of cameras 115a, 115b, 115c, 115d arranged around a first station 102. The system can be configured so that one of these cameras takes a shot of the license plate, from which the registration number is identified; this task can also be entrusted to a separate camera.

In the examples of Figures 5 and 6, the verification of the condition of the bodywork serves not only to determine the bodywork repairs to be offered to the customer, but also as an inventory, proving in what condition the customer returned the vehicle to the workshop. The method of operating the system according to the invention may provide for a step in which the radioelectric system sends an electronic message to the customer (for example by SMS or by email) with a report on the state of the bodywork, possibly accompanied by sockets of sight.

In the examples of Figures 5 and 6, the translation 203 to get the vehicle out of the box 300 can be performed by a translation device, as described above in relation to the .

In another variant (not shown in the figures) said box has only one door, used for entry and for exit.

The schematically shows a radio network according to the invention. The central computer machine 160 is configured to communicate with each of the workshop devices, each of which has a transmitter and possibly also a receiver.

A few specific modes of use and a few advantages of the system according to the invention are described here.

The use of a diagnostic workshop device, such as a tire scanner, wheel alignment device, brake tester, headlight tester, body scanner and/or a set of cameras, associated with a transmitter which transmits the information recorded by this diagnostic workshop device to the central computer machine which collects and analyzes this information, and advantageously associated with a camera for reading the number registration, makes it possible to immediately identify the repairs and/or replacements to be carried out, and makes it possible to establish an estimate which can be transmitted immediately to the customer by an electronic means of transmission. This saves time for the workshop and minimizes vehicle downtime for the customer; this allows the vehicle's tracking sheet to be kept better and allows the workshop operator to make more relevant maintenance and repair proposals to the customer.

Using a vehicle mover increases shop productivity, and increases parking capacity. The use of a vehicle drop-off box helps to rationalize the management of journeys inside the workshop and improves flexibility and safety for the benefit of the customer: it represents an additional service offered to the customer, in particular for luxury vehicles.

In a particular embodiment, which lends itself well to large maintenance and repair workshops, the radioelectric system according to the invention comprises a means of radioelectric localization of the vehicles located in the maintenance and repair workshop. This radio locating means may for example comprise a plurality of receivers (not shown in the figures) of the ultra wide band type (abbreviated ULB, or UWB in English, Ultra Wide Band) distributed in the workshop (for example on the ceiling or on the walls), and a ULB beacon placed in each vehicle to be located. These localization systems, which typically exploit triangulation or trilateration methods, are known as such, and are commercially available. They make it possible to determine in particular the location or position where a given vehicle is located.

Typically, each beacon has an individual address that allows it to be distinguished from other beacons used in the same workshop. To perform this location, said receivers can communicate directly with said central computer machine 160 . Alternatively, said receivers communicate with a central station which communicates with said central computer machine 160 .

In an advantageous embodiment, the system according to the invention is configured in such a way as to allow the movement device to go to the location of the vehicle carrying a given beacon.

In a first mode of use, this embodiment of the system according to the invention makes it possible, with the aid of an autonomously guided translation device, for example to bring the vehicle automatically from its parking space to a reception station where, for example, the customer who wishes to recover said vehicle is located.

In a second mode of use, this embodiment of the system according to the invention makes it possible to follow the movement of the vehicle in the workshop. This monitoring can be done in real time or at determined intervals. The system can be configured to inform the customer of the position of his vehicle.

Knowing precisely the location of the vehicle at any time can allow the user to anticipate the passage through other positions. For example, if the system detects the arrival of the vehicle at the bodywork station and knowing that the average processing time for a vehicle at this station is X minutes, and knowing that the vehicle must be returned to the customer after its passage to this station, the system can warn the customer by SMS to tell him that in about Y minutes his vehicle will be ready to be picked up, where Y = X + Z and Z corresponds to a typical duration of final preparation of the vehicle and the file at the end of the work to be returned to the customer (Z being typically around 5 to 10 minutes).

Claims (9)

Integrated vehicle diagnostic, maintenance and repair system and management thereof in a vehicle maintenance and repair shop, in which an incoming vehicle is first positioned at a first station and then moved to at least a second station ,
said system comprising a radio system and at least two different workshop devices,

• said radio system comprising
  • a plurality of signal transmitters, arranged in workshop devices,
  • at least one signal receiver, arranged in at least one of said workshop devices,
  • a computer machine configured to receive signals from said transmitters, to transmit signals to said at least one receiver, and to collect and analyze the information represented by said signals,
• at least two of said workshop devices being selected from a first group formed by:
  • a tire scanner located at a station,
  • a scanner of the body of a vehicle, said scanner being installed at a station,
  • a camera configured to take shots of a vehicle at a station,
  • a braking bench or a suspension bench or a braking and suspension bench, located at a station,
  • a geometry bench located at a station,
  • a straightening bench located at a post,
  • a paint booth located at a station,
  • a device for checking and adjusting headlights located at a station,
  • a vehicle washing station, in particular with rollers, located at a station,
  • a moving device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

System according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises

• at least one workshop device selected from a second group formed by:
  • a tire scanner, preferably on the ground, located at a station,
  • a scanner of the body of a vehicle, said scanner being installed at a station,
  • a camera configured to take shots of a vehicle at a station,
  • a braking bench or a suspension bench or a braking and suspension bench, located at a station,
  • a geometry bench located at a station,
  • a straightening bench located at a post,
  • a paint booth located at a station,
  • a device for checking and adjusting headlights located at a station,
  • a vehicle washing station, in particular with rollers, located at a station;
• a moving device configured to move a vehicle from a first position to a second position.

System according to Claim 2, characterized in that it comprises

• a scanner of the body of a vehicle, said scanner being installed at a station, and
• a camera configured to take shots of a vehicle at a station,
• and optionally at least one other workshop device selected from said second group.

System according to any one of Claims 2 or 3, characterized in that it comprises a tire scanner, preferably on the ground, located at a station, and optionally at least one other workshop device selected from the said second group . System according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that it is configured so that the said movement device moves the vehicle from a first station to a second station. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the said movement device is configured to be able to park the vehicle in a parking space, and preferably in a space whose width does not exceed 120%, and preferably does not exceed 115% of the maximum overall width of the vehicle. System according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the said radioelectric system comprises a plurality of receivers of the ultra wide band type distributed in the said workshop, as well as a beacon capable of being detected and located by the said receivers, said beacon being intended to be placed in a vehicle. System according to Claim 7, characterized in that the location of the said beacon is used to allow a moving device to go to the location or position of a vehicle carrying the said beacon. Use of a system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in a vehicle diagnostic and maintenance workshop.