JP2003228634A - Damage level determination device and method for product and recording medium with its program recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To precisely determine the damage level of an automobile. <P>SOLUTION: An input position, an input direction, and size of an external force added to an automobile are calculated based on the picture data of a damaged automobile, and the damage level of the automobile due to the external force is determined by using a dynamic model set based on the configuration of the automobile. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a product damage level determination device, a method therefor, and a recording medium recording a product damage level determination program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When repairing an accident vehicle, the repair cost is estimated in advance. The estimation is made by visually observing the damaged area and extent of the accident vehicle and examining the repair method based on it. However, with this method, the judgment of the repair method and the estimated amount of repair cost differ depending on the degree of knowledge and experience of the estimator,
It also occurs when proper repairs are not performed.

On the other hand, there is known a system in which a computer is used to estimate the repair cost of an accident vehicle on the basis of an image obtained by photographing the accident vehicle (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H11-11011).
-66147 gazette). To put it simply, it compares the image of the accident vehicle with the image of the same vehicle model without damage, calculates the input pattern of the external force to the accident vehicle based on the comparison, and estimates the repair cost based on the input pattern. It is a thing. For the estimation, a database is used in which the relationship between the input pattern of external force and the deformation patterns of the vehicle body frame and vehicle body panel is considered in advance and stored in association with the degree of damage, repair content, repair cost, etc. of those vehicle body components. To be done.

[0004]

However, the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force with respect to the product are various, and the pattern of the input of the external force cannot accurately determine the degree of damage to the product. .

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to accurately determine the degree of damage of a product based on the damage information of the product.

[0006]

In order to solve such a problem, the present invention uses a dynamic model for determining the degree of damage.

Further, the present invention addresses the above problem by determining the degree of damage to the vehicle based on the displacement amount of the engine.

That is, the invention according to claim 1 is a product damage level determining apparatus using a computer, wherein inputting means for inputting image data of a damaged portion of the product and damage level based on the image data. And a judging means for judging,
The determination means obtains the input position, the input direction and the magnitude of the external force applied to the product based on the image data,
It is characterized in that the degree of damage to the product due to the external force is determined by a dynamic model set based on the configuration of the product.

Therefore, even if the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force with respect to the product are various, the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force are obtained based on the image data, and damage is caused by the dynamic model of the product. Since the degree is individually determined, the reliability of the obtained degree-of-damage information is increased.

Here, the dynamic model is a model (mathematical model) that is set based on the structure of the product and changes each part of the product by an external force (vector). For the analysis, for example, there is a finite element method in which a product is divided into a large number of minute elements, a matrix equation in which the force and the displacement are balanced is established for each, and a computer solves it.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the product damage determination device according to the first aspect, the product is an automobile, and the dynamic model is a body frame and an engine supported by the frame. And are provided as constituent elements.

That is, the body frame supporting the engine is restricted (restrained) by the engine from being deformed by an external force.
However, according to the present invention, it is advantageous in determining how the body frame supporting the engine is deformed in the event of an automobile collision. Further, it is possible to determine how the engine is displaced due to the deformation of the vehicle body frame, and thereby what damage is caused to the peripheral parts thereof.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the product damage degree determination device according to the second aspect, the dynamic model is set based on a design drawing showing a relationship between the vehicle body frame and the engine. It is characterized by

Therefore, the accuracy of the dynamic model is high, and the accuracy of determining the degree of damage is high.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a product damage level determination method using a computer, wherein an input step of inputting image data of a damaged portion of the product and the product is added based on the image data. An external force determination step of determining an input position, an input direction, and a magnitude of the external force, and a loss degree determination step of determining the degree of loss of the product due to the external force by a dynamic model set based on the configuration of the product are provided. It is characterized by being

Therefore, even if the input position, the input direction and the size of the external force with respect to the product are various, the input position, the input direction and the size are obtained based on the image data, and the degree of damage is individually determined by the product dynamic model. Can be determined to
The reliability of the obtained damage level information is increased.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the product damage degree determination method according to the fourth aspect, a database storing the dynamic model is provided, and in the input step, the first computer is connected via a communication line. The image data transmitted as described above is input to the second computer for determining the degree of damage, and in the degree of damage determining step, the degree of damage is determined by loading the dynamic model from the database into the second computer.

Therefore, the degree of damage based on the dynamic model is determined by the second computer, and damage information is input to the second computer from another first computer. It is not necessary to increase it, and it is advantageous in preventing leakage of the dynamic model and the judgment software to the first computer side.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the method of determining the degree of damage to a product according to the fifth aspect, the result of the degree of damage determination by the second computer is transmitted to the first computer via a communication line. It is characterized by including a step of performing.

Therefore, by accessing the second computer from the first computer and transmitting the damage information, the judgment result of the degree of damage can be obtained, which is advantageous in improving convenience.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium in which a program for determining the degree of damage to a product by using a computer is recorded, and an external force applied to the product is input based on image data of a damaged portion of the product. It is characterized in that the position, the input direction, and the size are obtained, and the degree of damage to the product due to the external force is determined by a dynamic model preset based on the configuration of the product.

Therefore, the damage degree of the product can be determined by operating the computer with the recording medium, and the external force can be obtained from the image data even if the input position, the input direction and the size of the external force are various. Since the degree of damage is individually determined by the mechanical model of the product based on the input position, the input direction and the magnitude of the external force, the reliability of the obtained degree-of-damage information is increased.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a vehicle damage degree determination device using a computer, wherein input means for inputting image data obtained by photographing an engine room of a damaged automobile and the image data. And image data of an engine room including an engine of an automobile which is not damaged, and an image processing means for obtaining a displacement amount of the engine due to the damage, and a damage degree of the automobile is determined based on the displacement amount of the engine. And a determination means for performing the determination.

That is, when an external force is applied to the automobile engine or a member supporting the engine, the position of the engine itself may change. At that time, the parts around the engine are also damaged along with the displacement of the engine. On the other hand, it is difficult to know the degree of damage to the engine peripheral parts only by the damage information of the body panel and the body frame.

Therefore, the present invention is to determine the displacement amount of the engine when the automobile is damaged and to judge the degree of damage of the automobile from the displacement amount.

[0026]

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

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a product damage level determination / repair support system using a computer according to the present invention. This embodiment is used for determining the degree of damage and assisting repair when a vehicle is damaged. In FIG. 1, 1 is a first computer which is a terminal device on the side of a user (automobile insurance company, etc.), and 2 is a second computer which provides a service using this system. The computers 1 and 2 are connected to each other via a communication line (for example, the Internet) 3. Note that FIG.
In the figure, only one first computer 1 is depicted, but the system can provide services to multiple users.

In this system, damage information of the automobile 4 is input from the first computer 1 on the user side to the second computer 2 on the service provider side via the communication line 3, and the second computer 2 determines the degree of damage and repairs the damage. Information is generated and transmitted to the first computer 1.

The damage information of the automobile 4 includes the chassis number of the damaged automobile 4, the vehicle number and the owner, three-dimensional image data obtained by photographing the damaged automobile with the digital camera 5, and the damage time obtained by the vehicle speed sensor. Of the vehicle speed, the magnitude and direction of the gravitational acceleration applied to the vehicle at the time of damage obtained by the omnidirectional gravitational acceleration sensor, and changes in the environment (surrounding vehicles, obstacles, etc.) around the vehicle at the time of damage, taken by the monitor camera There is three-dimensional image data obtained by doing so. The digital camera 5 obtains not only the image data of the appearance of the automobile but also the image data of the engine room when the front portion of the automobile is damaged. Radar can be used to detect changes in the environment around the vehicle.

The image data from the digital camera 5 is transmitted by connecting the digital camera 5 to the first computer 1 (or by installing it from the memory card attached to the digital camera into the first computer 1). The vehicle speed, the magnitude and direction of the gravitational acceleration, and the three-dimensional image data obtained by the monitor camera 6 are stored in the memory card 7 attached to the vehicle-mounted computer.
Recorded on the memory card 7 to the first computer 1
Installed and sent to.

Instead of the image data obtained by the digital camera 5, image data obtained by photographing a damaged automobile with a digital movie camera may be adopted.

The computers 1 and 2 have keyboards 1a,
2a and display devices 1b and 2b are connected. The second computer 2 is further connected to a hard disk drive 8 (hereinafter referred to as HDD 8) that stores and saves various data and programs necessary for damage level determination and repair support.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the second computer 2.
In the figure, 11 is an RO that stores a boot program and the like.
M and 12 are RAMs for temporarily storing various processing results, 13 is a communication interface for communicating with an external device via the communication line 3, 14 is a pointing device such as a mouse, and 15 is a CPU (central processing unit). is there. Each of these components is connected via an internal bus 29, and C
The PU 15 controls the entire device according to the program stored in the HDD 8. In the present embodiment, the display device 2b,
Keyboard 2a and pointing device 14
Provides a so-called man-machine interface to the user on each display screen described later.

The HDD 8 has an automobile design database 8a, a dynamic model database 8b, a damage-related information database 8c, and a parts / wage database 8d created and stored therein. The program is saved.

The blueprint database 8a contains 3
Dimensional blueprints are stored by vehicle type. In the dynamic model database 8b, a model (dynamic model) for analyzing the deformation of the vehicle at the time of damage (at the time of collision) by the finite element method is created and stored for each vehicle type.

In the damage-related information database 8c, the degree of damage to each part of the automobile and the repair information (whether there is a need for repair or replacement, the repair method) corresponding to the degree of damage are stored for each vehicle type. For example, in the case of a bend due to damage to the body frame, the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the frame to correct the bend are stored. In addition, damage information obtained at the time of previous damage for the same vehicle type, external force determination result at that time, actual damage degree found as a result of repair at that time, and repair method at that time are stored in this database 8c for each vehicle type. ing.

In the parts / wage database 8d, the price of each part of the automobile, the replacement cost of each part, and the repair cost of each part are stored for each vehicle type.

FIG. 3 shows a simplified design of the engine room of the automobile. In the figure, 16 is a suspension tower, 17 is a side frame at the front of the vehicle body, 18 is a perimeter frame connected to the side frame 17, and this perimeter frame 18 supports a power plant (engine body and automatic transmission) 19. Has been done. 21 is an air cleaner, 22 is an intake pipe, 23 is a battery, 24 is a radiator, 25 is a cooling water tank, 2
6 is a brake booster, and 27 is a brake master cylinder.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the processing logic of the CPU 15. That is, the CPU
In 15, the user confirmation, input of damage information, image data processing, static damage degree judgment, external force judgment at damage, dynamic analysis at damage, dynamic damage degree judgment, repair information generation, and information output processing. Is performed. Each of these processes is executed by installing (installing) the program in the HDD 8 (or the hard disk of the second computer 2) from a recording medium (a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a compact disk, etc.) in which the program for that purpose is recorded. It The contents will be specifically described below with reference to the flow shown in FIG.

<User Confirmation Processing> At step A1 after the start, it is checked whether the first computer 1 is accessing the second computer 2 through the communication line 3 (whether there is a service provision request). Proceed to A2 to perform user confirmation processing. That is, when the data exchange becomes possible, the user ID and password are requested to be input, and when the confirmation is possible (login), the process further proceeds to step A3 to confirm the service fee payment method.

<Damage Information Input> In the following step A4,
As the damage information, three-dimensional image data (image data by the digital camera 5) of an engine room or the like including a damaged portion of the automobile, vehicle speed at the time of damage, magnitude and direction of gravity acceleration exerted on the automobile at the time of damage, and the monitor camera 6 Showing the collision situation between the car and the obstacle photographed by
Input dimensional image data.

<Image Data Processing> In the following step A5, the corresponding design image data (design drawing) of the same vehicle type of a non-damaged automobile is searched and read from the design drawing database 8a. In subsequent step A6, the image data of the digital camera 5 as the damage information is compared with the image data of the design drawing to perform a logical operation to obtain the image data of the deformed portion (image data before and after the deformation). leave.

<Determination of Static Damage Degree> In the subsequent step A7, based on the image data before and after the deformation obtained by the image data processing, the deformed part and its damage degree (kind of damage, size of deformation) Then, the metal fatigue level) is determined. When the power plant is displaced, the degree of damage to the engine peripheral parts damaged due to the displacement is determined based on the displacement amount.

<Determination of External Force at the Time of Damage> In the subsequent step A8, the input position, the input direction and the magnitude of the external force applied to the automobile at the time of damage are determined based on the image data before and after the deformation obtained by the image data processing. Yes (first external force determination). Further, based on the vehicle speed at the time of damage, the magnitude and direction of the gravitational acceleration acting on the vehicle at the time of damage, and the three-dimensional image data indicating the collision situation between the vehicle and the obstacle captured by the monitor camera 6, The input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force applied to the automobile are determined (second external force determination).

Explaining the first external force judgment,
From the image data before and after the deformation, the portion deformed by the external force can be known. Since the resistance force (strength) of each part of the deformed part to the external force varies depending on the input direction of the external force,
By acquiring the deformation amount of each part from the image data before and after the deformation, the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force can be known.

Explaining the second external force judgment,
The magnitude and direction of the gravitational acceleration acting on the vehicle at the time of damage correspond to the input direction and the magnitude of the external force. Further, the input position of the external force can be known from the three-dimensional image data showing the collision situation between the vehicle and the obstacle. Therefore, the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force can be known from the magnitude and direction of the gravitational acceleration and the three-dimensional image data of the collision situation. The vehicle speed can be used for correcting the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force.

<Dynamic analysis at the time of damage> In the following step A9, a simulation for analyzing the deformation mode of the vehicle by the external force obtained by the external force determination is performed by the analysis model (dynamic model) stored in the dynamic model database 8b. Run. In this case, the shape modeling of the analysis model is performed by defining computer data based on the design drawing of the vehicle including the vehicle body frame and the power plant supported by the vehicle body frame. Therefore, when the power plant is displaced by the external force, the displacement amount is also obtained.

<Determination of Dynamic Damage Level> Continuing Step A10
At, the parts that are deformed and the degree of damage (type of damage, size of deformation, metal fatigue) are determined based on the result of the dynamic analysis (deformation mode). In this case, if the strength member (body panel and body frame) of the vehicle body and the engine are included as the constituent elements of the dynamic model, engine peripheral parts and other vehicle components are calculated from the displacement amount of the strength member and the engine. The degree of damage to parts can be calculated.

In determining the dynamic damage level, the damage information database 8c is searched for similar damage information about the same vehicle model in the past, and if such damage information exists, the actual damage level at that time is searched. The determination result by the dynamic model is corrected based on the above (step A11). The correction can be performed by reflecting the predetermined ratio of the error between the determination result (damage degree) of this time and the actual damage degree in the past on the determination result of this time. When the damage information of this time and the damage information of the past do not match, the damage level corresponding to the damage information of this time is obtained by interpolation based on a plurality of damage-related information that approximates the past, and based on this damage level. The determination result of this time can be corrected.

<Generation of Repair Information> In the subsequent step A12, based on the results of the static damage level determination and the dynamic damage level determination, repair information (repair or repair) corresponding to the damage level of the component causing the damage is obtained. Necessity of replacement, repair method) is acquired from the damage related information database 8c. For example, when the bending due to the damage of the body frame is determined as the degree of damage, the input position, the input direction and the magnitude of the force to be applied to the frame to correct the bending are obtained from the damage related information database 8c.

Further, based on the results of the static damage level judgment and the dynamic damage level judgment, when the damaged part is to be replaced, the price and replacement cost of the part and the damaged amount are incurred. When repairing a part, the repair cost is acquired from the part / wage database 8d.

<Information Output Process> In the subsequent step A13, the damage information, the result of the image data processing, the dynamic analysis result, the static damage degree determination result, the dynamic damage degree determination result, and the repair information. Is processed by spreadsheet software to create an estimate (table), which is displayed on the display device 2d and transmitted to the first computer 1 via the communication interface 13 (step A14).

FIG. 6 shows an example of the quotation. In addition to bibliographic items such as chassis number, only the part name, number of parts, damage status, repair method and service charge for damage level judgment / repair support are displayed. It may be written. Also, the image of the accident vehicle, the damage information, and the repair schedule are displayed in a menu system. As for the repair schedule, information may be obtained from the repair shop and displayed as needed.

The damage information, the result of the image data processing, the dynamic analysis result, the static damage degree determination result, the dynamic damage degree determination result, and the repair information are stored in the damage related information database 8c. save. Further, when the repair is actually performed, the information about the actual damage degree and the repair method found as a result of the repair is obtained from the repair factory and stored in the damage related information database 8c.

FIG. 7 shows a processing flow on the first computer 1 side. That is, in step B1 after the start, the image data obtained by the digital camera 5 as damage information), the vehicle speed at the time of damage, the magnitude and direction of the gravitational acceleration acting on the car at the time of damage, and the car taken by the monitor camera 6. 3D image data showing the state of collision between an obstacle and an obstacle is input.

In the following step B2, the second computer 2 is accessed and the user ID, password and fee payment method are input. After the user confirmation and the charge payment method confirmation by the second computer 2 are completed, the damage information is output (steps B3 to B5). When the repair information is received from the second computer 2 in the following step B6, the repair information is displayed in a table format in the following step B7.

Although the above embodiment relates to the damage degree determination / repair support of the automobile, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the damage degree determination / repair support of other products.

[0058]

According to the invention of claim 1, the input position, the input direction, and the magnitude of the external force applied to the product are obtained based on the image data of the damaged portion of the product, and based on the configuration of the product. Since the set dynamic model is provided with the determination means for determining the degree of damage to the product due to the external force, the reliability of the obtained degree-of-damage information is enhanced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the product damage degree determination apparatus according to the first aspect, the product is an automobile, and the dynamic model is supported by the body frame and the frame. Since the engine is provided as a constituent element and the degree of damage is determined in consideration of the engine, the accuracy of the degree of damage determination is increased.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the product damage degree determining apparatus according to the second aspect, the dynamic model is based on a design diagram showing the relationship between the vehicle body frame and the engine. Since it is set, the accuracy of the dynamic model is high, and the accuracy of determining the degree of damage is high.

According to the invention of claim 4, an input step of inputting image data of a damaged portion of a product, an input position of an external force applied to the product based on the image data,
Since the step of obtaining the input direction and the size and the step of determining the degree of damage of the product due to the external force by the dynamic model set based on the configuration of the product are provided, Reliability is increased.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the method of determining the degree of damage of a product according to claim 4, image data is sent from the first computer to the second computer for determining the degree of damage via a communication line. Since the dynamic model is input to the second computer from the database and the degree of damage is determined, it is not necessary to enhance the capability of the first computer, and the dynamic model and the determination software can be stored in the first computer. It is advantageous in preventing leakage.

According to the invention of claim 6, in the method of determining the degree of damage to a product according to claim 5, the result of the degree of damage determination by the second computer is transmitted to the first computer via a communication line. It is possible to access the second computer from the first computer to obtain the determination result of the degree of damage, which is advantageous in improving convenience.

According to the invention of claim 7, there is provided a recording medium in which a program for judging the degree of damage of a product by using a computer is recorded, and an external force applied to the product based on image data of a damaged portion of the product. The input position, the input direction, and the size of the product are determined, and the degree of damage to the product due to the external force is determined by a dynamic model preset based on the configuration of the product. The degree of damage can be determined, and the reliability of the obtained degree-of-damage information is increased.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the input means for inputting the image data obtained by photographing the engine room of the damaged automobile, the image data, and the engine room including the engine of the automobile without damage. The image processing means for determining the displacement amount of the engine due to the damage by comparing with the image data of the above, and the determination means for determining the degree of damage of the vehicle based on the displacement amount of the engine, The degree of damage can be accurately determined.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram showing the configuration of a second computer according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of image data obtained from a design drawing of a front portion of the vehicle according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the same embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the second computer according to the same embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a quote according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the first computer according to the same embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1st computer 2 second computer 3 communication lines 4 cars 5 digital cameras 6 monitor camera 7 memory card 8 HDD 8a Automotive blueprint database 8b Dynamic model database 8c Damage related information database 8d Parts / Wage Database

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A product damage determination apparatus using a computer, comprising: input means for inputting image data of a damaged part of the product; and determination means for determining the damage degree based on the image data. The determination means obtains the input position, the input direction and the magnitude of the external force applied to the product based on the image data,
A damage level determination device for a product, wherein the damage level of the product due to the external force is determined by a dynamic model set based on the configuration of the product. 2. The product damage degree determination device according to claim 1, wherein the product is an automobile, and the dynamic model includes a body frame and an engine supported by the frame as constituent elements. A device for determining the degree of damage to products. 3. The product damage degree determination device according to claim 2, wherein the dynamic model is set based on a design diagram showing a relationship between the vehicle body frame and the engine. A device for determining the degree of damage to products. 4. A method for determining the degree of damage to a product using a computer, comprising: an input step of inputting image data of a damaged portion of the product; an input position and input of an external force applied to the product based on the image data. An external force determining step for determining a direction and a size, and a loss degree determining step for determining the degree of damage of the product due to the external force by a dynamic model set based on the configuration of the product are characterized. How to judge the degree of damage to a product. 5. The product damage level determination method according to claim 4, further comprising a database storing the dynamic model, wherein in the input step, image data transmitted from the first computer via a communication line. To the second computer for determining the degree of damage, and in the step of determining the degree of damage, the degree of damage is determined by importing a dynamic model from the database into the second computer to determine the degree of damage. 6. The method for determining the degree of damage to a product according to claim 5, further comprising the step of transmitting the degree of damage determination result by the second computer to the first computer via a communication line. A method for determining the degree of damage to a product, which is characterized by the following. 7. A recording medium for recording a program for determining the degree of damage to a product using a computer, wherein the input position, the input direction and the magnitude of the external force applied to the product based on the image data of the damaged part of the product. And the mechanical model preset based on the configuration of the above product,
A recording medium recording a program for determining the degree of damage to a product, characterized by determining the degree of damage to the product due to the external force. 8. An automobile damage level determination device using a computer, the input means for inputting image data obtained by photographing an engine room of a damaged automobile, the image data, and an automobile without damage. Image processing means for comparing the image data of the engine room including the engine to obtain the displacement amount of the engine due to the damage, and determination means for determining the degree of damage to the automobile based on the displacement amount of the engine. A device for determining the degree of damage to products.