JP2003170817A - Vehicle repair estimation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology capable of showing an objective ground when vehicle repair is required, predicting a failure position or a failure component, predicting a failure passively occurring in future, and proposing a repair plan based on the prediction to a customer. <P>SOLUTION: In this method, a computer 1 receives attribution information about a target vehicle including characteristics/properties of the vehicle such as a vehicle model, a model year, a model type or the like, and receives symptom information in the failure of the various vehicles. The computer 1 refers to a map M1 showing time of trouble occurrence predicted in the various vehicles or a degree of the trouble corresponding to the time. The computer 1 predicts repair-needing time and a repair-needing portion of the repair target vehicle on the basis of the symptom information and the attribution information about the target vehicle. The computer 1 generates an estimate of the vehicle repair on the basis of the predicted repair-needing portion and the repair-needing time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a vehicle repair estimation technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, an automobile mechanic at an automobile service factory empirically estimates where an abnormality occurs in a repaired vehicle based on the exhaust sound and vibration of a vehicle for which a repair request has been made, as well as visual and auditory information.

By the way, it is not uncommon for a customer who has no experience to determine whether or not the repair was proper. This is because the objective reason that the customer understands is not presented.

[0003] Therefore, many conscientious automobile service plants want to present an objective basis for the necessity of repairing, for example, exchanging a specific part so as to prevent trouble with the customer. .

In addition, the driver himself knows that what kind of symptoms may occur in which part when running, so that the driver can drive with peace of mind, rather than sending the vehicle for repair after he / she is under pressure. It is important to keep.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and the problem to be solved is to be able to provide an objective basis when repair is required, and to provide necessary information such as symptoms currently occurring to a computer. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technology capable of predicting a failure location or a failed component, predicting a failure that may occur in the future, and proposing a repair plan to the customer based on this prediction.

[0006]

The present invention has been made as follows in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.

That is, the present invention accepts the attributes of various vehicles and the symptoms when various vehicles break down as information by using a computer. Then, in advance, the computer stores in advance the time when a defect is expected to occur in various vehicles and the degree of the defect corresponding to the time,
Based on the attributes and symptoms of the target vehicle, the repair required time and the repair required portion of the repaired vehicle are predicted. Then, based on the predicted information, that is, the repair required time and the repair required portion, a vehicle repair proposal or estimate is created.

The customer refers to the proposal or the quotation and determines to what extent repairs such as parts replacement should proceed.

The above-mentioned proposal or quotation is preferable because it can be used by the customer as a basis for determining when it is optimal for the vehicle to repair or repair such as parts replacement.

Further, it is possible to know in advance how much repair is needed and when.

Further, the necessity of repair can be objectively evaluated by quantifying the extent to which repair or inspection is required as to how much distance or time the vehicle needs to be repaired. Therefore, the car service factory can give the repair requester a sense of security and gain the trust of the customer. Furthermore, if there is a criterion that requires repair or inspection, by presenting it to the customer, the customer can get the impression that the car service factory is reliable and has no deception.

When a vehicle repair proposal or quotation is created based on the predicted information, the customer is provided with the contents through a computer network to determine whether or not the repair is necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring the vehicle to the car service factory as before.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of this embodiment.

In this embodiment, a system (fault diagnosis system) for diagnosing a vehicle fault by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "computer") 1 is constructed. And if necessary, we can propose to the customer to replace parts,
Create a quote.

Therefore, in the present system, the computer 1 is used to receive information (hereinafter referred to as “attribute information”) on the target vehicle including attributes such as vehicle type, year, model and other characteristics and properties of the vehicle. In addition, the symptom of failure of various vehicles is received as information (hereinafter referred to as "symptom information"). Further, reference is made to a map showing the time of occurrence of a defect expected to occur in various vehicles and the degree of the defect corresponding to the time. Then, based on the attribute information and the symptom information of the target vehicle, the repair required time and the repair required portion of the repair target vehicle are predicted. A vehicle repair quotation is created based on these predicted repair time and repaired part.

Then, when the computer 1 receives the attributes of the vehicle to be repaired and the symptoms that are presently occurring as information, these pieces of information are stored in a vehicle attribute information database (hereinafter referred to as "vehicle attributes") that stores attribute information of various vehicles in advance. A symptom information database (hereinafter referred to as "information DB") that stores the symptom information of 50 and various vehicles in advance.
52).

Based on the inquired information, a replacement prediction database (hereinafter referred to as "replacement prediction DB") for predicting, as information, a repair required time and a repair required portion of the vehicle to be repaired.
At 54, the computer 1 recommends replacement of parts. Specifically, the proposal 60 created by the computer 1 is recommended to the customer for parts replacement. If necessary, a quote 62 is also created.

Next, the hardware configuration of the computer 1 installed in the service factory will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 30 is a bus as a data transfer path.

The bus 30 is a central processing unit CP
U5, main memory 36 that is a main storage device, VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 38 that stores image information
CRT43 via.

A hard disk 40 is connected to the bus 30. The hard disk 40 includes a program 41 for realizing the present system, an attribute information DB 50,
It has a symptom information DB 52 and a replacement prediction DB 54 that stores a plurality of repair prediction maps that are used as a guide for repair determination in advance for vehicles that require repair.

A large number of the repair prediction maps stored in the replacement prediction DB 54 are prepared, for example, for each existing vehicle among vehicles produced by automobile companies existing in the past and present.

FIG. 3 exemplifies a map M1 which is applied as a repair prediction map when a part (a steering system hub bearing in this embodiment) is replaced. Map M
According to 1, the repair required time and the repair required portion of the vehicle to be repaired are predicted.

When the computer 1 receives the attributes of the vehicle to be repaired and the symptoms that are presently occurring as information, that is, when the attribute information and the symptoms information are input to the computer 1 from the keyboard 42 or the like and stored in the main memory 36. , The vehicle attribute information DB 50 and the symptom information D
The information is inquired to B52, and the map M1 is selected from the many maps stored in the exchange prediction DB 54 based on the inquired information. Therefore, main memory 3
It can be said that 6 is a vehicle attribute receiving unit that receives the attributes of various vehicles and a symptom receiving unit that receives the symptom when various vehicles break down.

The attribute information includes, for example, a production vehicle company, a vehicle type, an year model, a model, and other characteristics and properties of the vehicle. Further, as the symptom information, a specific keyword, for example, a handle, a heavy weight, an abnormal sound, etc., can be mentioned.

Further, the map M1 indicates the defect occurrence site and the occurrence time and the degree of the trouble corresponding to the time, which are predicted to occur in various vehicles according to the traveling distance of the vehicle, and the vertical axis indicates parts. It is a "part replacement recommended rate-mileage map" in which the recommended replacement rate (%) is taken and the horizontal axis shows the traveled distance from the vehicle manufacturing date.

The map M1 is vertically divided into three parts, which are called threshold regions A, B and C from the bottom. In these threshold areas A to C, various symptoms appearing in the vehicle are listed. For example, in the threshold area A, there is no symptom requiring repair, and in the threshold area B, for example, a symptom that "the steering wheel feels heavier than before or an abnormal noise occurs" appears. In the threshold region C, it is shown that, for example, a symptom that “the steering wheel operation feels clearly heavier than before, or a distinct abnormal sound occurs or vibrates” appears. ing. In this embodiment, the degree of various symptoms and the number of symptoms are illustrated as increasing as the threshold region progresses from A to C, but the present invention is not limited to this.

Further, the graph indicated by the symbol G in the map M1 shows that the recommended component replacement rate increases monotonically with the traveling distance of the vehicle. The locus of the graph G is different for each vehicle.

In addition, the map M1 suggests the component replacement recommended rate from the intersection of the current symptom present in the vehicle and the traveling distance. For example, the symptom shown in the threshold area B appears in the current vehicle, and the mileage so far is D.
Suppose that it was. In this case, the recommended component replacement rate is D'from the intersection (specific value) Ip of the symptom and the travel distance D.
It can be seen that it is.

Further, a dashed line extending vertically from the intersection I of the graph G and the boundary line Bo between the threshold region A and the threshold region B as a starting point is referred to as an exchange critical line Cr. A region in which a vertically long diagonal line is located on the right side of this line Cr is a region where component replacement is recommended: (component replacement recommended region)
It is called Ar. If the intersection (specific value) Ip exists in the parts replacement recommended area Ar, it is recommended to replace the steering system replacement part (for example, a hub bearing) regardless of the presence or absence of a symptom appearing in the vehicle. Therefore, it can be said that the component replacement recommended area Ar is a reference area for recommending component replacement. Further, the boundary line Bo may be regarded as a guideline for component replacement, and when the specific value is equal to or higher than the replacement recommended rate (D ″) related to the boundary line Bo, the replacement recommended display of the component may be displayed on the CRT 43.

Further, as the traveling distance becomes longer, the parts are damaged and worn out, and the recommended rate of parts replacement increases accordingly. For example, when the graph G is in the threshold area C of the component replacement recommended area Ar, the urgency of component replacement is highest. Further, in the threshold value region B of the component replacement recommended area Ar, the urgency of component replacement is lower than in the threshold value region C. Furthermore, when the component replacement recommended area Ar is in the threshold area A, the urgency of component replacement is lower than in the threshold area B. In this embodiment, the cases of being in the threshold region C, the threshold region B, and the threshold region A are indicated by replacement levels 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The larger the value, the higher the urgency of component replacement. Suggest.

When the intersection point Ip on the graph G is at the replacement level 3, the CRT 43 displays that the target vehicle is currently in a state where the replacement of parts such as the hub bearing is strongly recommended (parts replacement recommended time). At the replacement level 2, the CRT 43 displays (predicts) that the parts have not yet been replaced but the parts must be replaced (part replacement consideration time).

On the other hand, no bad symptom has appeared yet, and although the necessity of parts replacement is not recognized at present, statistically, the steering wheel operation feels heavier than before, considering the traveling distance. There is a possibility that the aforementioned symptoms may appear (intersection I at exchange level 1 in FIG. 3).
p '). Therefore, in this case, although it is not necessary to replace the component, it is displayed on the CRT 43 that the time for the component replacement is approaching (a time suitable for component replacement).

In the threshold area A, the graph G is outside the parts replacement recommended area Ar (see the range G1 of the graph G).
Therefore, in this case, it means that the above-mentioned symptom does not occur in the vehicle.

On the other hand, in the threshold regions B and C, the graph G is in the component replacement recommended region Ar (see the range G2 of the graph G).

Therefore, even if there is an intersection at Ip 'relating to the threshold value region A at the present time and the vehicle does not have any bad symptom so far, the traveling distance D1 corresponding to the intersection Ip' is set. Considering this, it is understood that the above-mentioned symptom (defective) related to the threshold region B may occur in the steering system. This means that when the intersection point Ip ′ is extended to the upper side of FIG. 3, the intersection point with the graph G is Ip ″,
This is because the intersection Ip ″ is in the threshold region B in the component replacement recommended region Ar. Further, the degree of failure is also in the map M.
Included in 1. The map M1 is stored in advance in the exchange prediction DB 54. Therefore, replacement prediction DB5
4 can be called storage means.

In this embodiment, the horizontal axis indicates the travel distance, but the travel time may be used instead of the travel distance.

The map M1 described above can be output by the printer 45. The printer 45 also has a proposal 60
The quotation 62 is also printed.

Further, the bus 30 is connected via an interface (I / F) 29 to a computer 10 which is a terminal device of a customer of a service factory through a computer network (not shown).

Attribute information and symptom information can be displayed on the keyboard 4
It may be input to the computer of the service factory by the method 2 or may be transmitted from the computer 10 of the customer owner to the computer 1 of the service factory via the computer network.

The information input by the keyboard or the like is once sent to the main memory 36 through the bus 30.

Between the main memory 36 and the CPU 5,
Information is constantly exchanged via the bus 30.

The result processed by the CPU 5 is the CRT 43.
Is displayed on the screen.

In the hardware configuration, the CPU 5
Based on various data stored in the main memory 36, the CPU 5 repeats the operation of sending back to the main memory 36 the results that are calculated and processed by the CPU 5 according to the instructions of the program stored in the hard disk 40.

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing the flow of a series of processing by the computer 1 of the service factory, which depends on the program 41.

In S101, the attribute (information) of the vehicle to be repaired is input to the computer 1 of the service factory by the operator of the service factory by operating the keyboard 42 or from the customer's computer via the network. Accepts vehicle attribute information.

In step S102, the symptom (information) of the vehicle to be repaired is input as in step S101.
Accepts symptom information when various vehicles break down.

In step S103, the computer 1 is operated by inputting the mileage (or the time elapsed from the date of manufacture).
Accepts the mileage of the target vehicle.

At S104, the map M1 of the corresponding repair target vehicle is selected from the replacement prediction DB.

In S105, the intersection (specific value) Ip of the current symptom present in the vehicle and the traveling distance is determined with reference to the map M1.

Then, in S106, S108, and S118 described below, the repair required time and the repair required portion of the vehicle to be repaired are predicted according to which of the threshold regions A to C the intersection Ip is. In S106, it is determined whether the intersection Ip is within the threshold region A or not. When the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to S107, and when the determination is negative, the process proceeds to S108.

In S107, it is determined that the parts need not be replaced.

In S109, the map such as M1 including the intersection Ip which is the basis of the determination in S107 is displayed on the CRT 43.

In S110, the proposal 60 having the following contents is created based on the display contents of the map M1. That is, in the proposal 60, when the intersection Ip is located above the exchange critical line Cr and on the graph G in the component replacement recommended area Ar, no symptom appears at present, but statistically the handle Since there is a risk of heavy operation, abnormal noise, vibration, etc., the mileage will increase and the intersection I
Explanation of the contents such as recommending replacement of parts (for example, hub bearing in this case) before p is located on the graph G in the parts replacement recommended area Ar, and the recommended parts ratio, etc. It describes how to judge whether repairing is optimal for the vehicle and economically.

In S111, the map of S109 and S
The 110 proposals are printed or presented to the customer via a computer network. A quotation can be printed if necessary.

At S108, it is determined whether the intersection Ip is within the threshold region B or not. When a positive determination is made, the process proceeds to S113,
If a negative decision is made, the operation proceeds to S118.

At S113, it is time to consider the replacement of the parts, so that the CRT 43 displays a message to recommend the replacement of the parts.

In S114, the map such as M1 including the intersection Ip which is the basis of the determination in S113 is displayed on the CRT 43.

In S115, since the intersection point Ip of S114 exceeds the exchange critical line Cr and is located on the graph G of the component replacement recommended area Ar in the threshold region B, it is time to consider the replacement of the hub bearing. Create a proposal that describes the content such as recommending replacement. At this time, the recommended component replacement rate is, for example, what percentage (for example, D '
Percentage).

At S116, an estimate is created based on the contents of the proposal.

In S117, the map of S114 and S
The 115 proposals are printed or presented to the customer via a computer network.

At S118, the intersection point Ip is the threshold region C.
It is determined to be inside.

In S119, the map such as M1 including the intersection Ip which is the basis of the determination in S118 is displayed on the CRT 43.

At S120, since the intersection point Ip of S119 exceeds the exchange critical line Cr and is located on the graph G of the component exchange recommended region Ar in the threshold region C, the hub bearing exchange recommended time is reached. Therefore, we will make a proposal that describes the content of urgently recommending replacement of the hub bearing. It also indicates that the recommended component replacement rate at this time is, for example, what percentage (not shown).

After S120, the process goes through S116 and S117.

The above-mentioned program predicts that the computer is expected to occur in various vehicles, vehicle attribute acceptance means for accepting the attributes of various vehicles as information, symptom acceptance means for accepting symptoms when various vehicles are out of order as information. The storage means in which the time of occurrence of the trouble and the degree of the trouble corresponding to the time are stored in advance, and when the attribute information and the symptom information about the target vehicle are received, the repair target of the target vehicle is repaired based on these information. It can be said that it is a vehicle repair estimation program for functioning as a repair prediction means for predicting a time and a repair required part, and a means for creating a vehicle repair quote based on the repair required time and the repair required part predicted by this repair prediction means. .

Next, the function and effect of this embodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, the computer 1 is used to accept the attributes of various vehicles and the symptoms of various vehicle failures as information. Then, the time when a defect is predicted to occur in various vehicles and the degree of the defect corresponding to the time are stored in the computer 1 in advance,
Based on the attributes and symptoms of the target vehicle, the repair required time and the repair required portion of the repair target vehicle are predicted using the map M1. Then, a vehicle repair proposal 60 and a quotation 62 are created based on the predicted information, that is, the repair required time and the repair required portion.

The customer refers to the proposal 60 and the quotation 62 to judge how much repair such as parts replacement should be performed.

The proposal 60 and the quotation 62 are preferable because they can be used by the customer to determine when it is optimal to repair or repair parts such as parts replacement for the vehicle and economically.

Further, it is possible to know in advance how much repair is needed and when.

Further, the degree of the repair or inspection, which indicates how much the vehicle needs to be repaired when the distance or time is traveled, is quantified, so that the necessity of the repair can be objectively observed. Therefore, the car service factory can give the repair requester a sense of security and gain the trust of the customer. Furthermore, if there is a criterion that requires repair or inspection, by presenting it to the customer, the customer can get the impression that the car service factory is reliable and has no deception.

When a vehicle repair proposal or quotation is created based on the predicted information, the customer is provided with the contents through a computer network to determine whether repair is necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary to bring the vehicle to the car service factory as before.

[0075]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to present an objective basis for the case where repair is required, and by inputting necessary information such as a symptom currently occurring to the computer, a failure point or a failed part can be obtained. , And possible failures in the future, and suggest repair plans to the customer based on this prediction.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of an embodiment of a vehicle repair estimation technique of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a hardware configuration of a server relating to the vehicle repair estimation technique of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a repair prediction map related to the vehicle repair estimation technique of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a vehicle repair estimation technique of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart continuing from FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer of Service Factory 10 Customer's Computer 30 Bus 36 Main Memory (Vehicle Attribute Receiving Means, Symptom Receiving Means) 40 Hard Disk 41 Program 42 Keyboard 43 CRT 45 Printer 50 Vehicle Attribute Information DB 52 Symptom Information DB 54 Exchange Prediction DB (Storage Means ) 60 Proposal 62 Estimate A Threshold area B Threshold area C Threshold area Ar Parts replacement recommended area Bo Boundary line Cr Replacement critical line D1 Travel distance G Graph G1 Range G2 Range I Intersection point Ip Intersection point M1 map

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A step of receiving attribute information of various vehicles using a computer, a step of receiving symptom information in the case of failure of various vehicles, and a repair request of a vehicle to be repaired based on the attribute information and the symptom information. A vehicle repair estimation method for executing a repair prediction step of predicting a time and a repair required part, and a step of creating a vehicle repair quote based on the predicted repair required time and the repair required part. 2. The repair predicting step refers to a map showing a time of occurrence of a failure predicted to occur in various vehicles and a degree of the failure corresponding to the time, and the attribute information about the target vehicle and 2. The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 1, wherein the repair required time and the repair required portion of the repair target vehicle are predicted based on the symptom information. 3. The attribute information includes production vehicle companies, vehicle types,
The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle model includes the year, model, and other characteristics and properties of the vehicle. 4. The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 3, wherein the repair prediction step is performed in such a manner that the repair required time and the repair required portion are predicted in correspondence with a vehicle traveling distance or a traveling time. . 5. The prediction in the repair prediction step includes:
The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 4, wherein the repair time and the urgency of the repair are included in the repair required portion. 6. When a vehicle repair involves replacing parts, a recommended replacement ratio is set for each part as a guideline for replacing parts, and the recommended replacement ratio corresponds to monotony with respect to a vehicle mileage or travel time. The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 5, wherein when the specific value to be increased is equal to or higher than the recommended replacement rate, the recommended replacement of the part is displayed. 7. The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 6, wherein the specific value is determined based on the symptom information and the vehicle travel distance or travel time. 8. A threshold region is set for the recommended replacement rate,
The vehicle repair estimation method according to claim 7, wherein the urgency of parts replacement or repair is set in a threshold region. 9. The vehicle repair according to claim 8, further comprising the step of preparing a vehicle repair quotation based on the predicted repair time and the repair required portion, and sending the quotation to the customer through a computer network. How to estimate. 10. Vehicle attribute acceptance means for accepting the attributes of various vehicles as information, symptom acceptance means for accepting the symptoms when various vehicles fail as information, and the occurrence of defects expected to occur in various vehicles The storage means in which the time and the extent of the trouble corresponding to the time are stored in advance, and when the attribute information and the symptom information about the target vehicle are accepted, the repair required time and the repair required portion of the repair target vehicle are based on these information. A vehicle repair quotation system for preparing a vehicle repair quotation based on the prediction information predicted by the repair prediction means. 11. A vehicle attribute accepting means for accepting the attributes of various vehicles as information by a computer, a symptom accepting means for accepting symptoms as information when various vehicles are broken down, and it is predicted that they will occur in various vehicles. When the failure occurrence time and the extent of the failure corresponding to that time are stored in advance, and when the attribute information and the symptom information about the target vehicle are received, based on these information, the repair target time of the repair target vehicle and A repair prediction means for predicting a repair required part, and a vehicle repair estimation program for functioning as a means for creating a vehicle repair quote based on the repair required time and the repair required part predicted by the repair prediction means.