WO2009100713A2

WO2009100713A2 - Method and device for lane guiding a vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2009100713A2
Application number: PCT/DE2009/000188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Tentrup; Markus Lenz; Ismail Kurt; Burkhard Dörr
Original assignee: Dürr Assembly Products GmbH
Priority date: 2008-02-14
Filing date: 2009-02-11
Publication date: 2009-08-20
Also published as: WO2009100713A3

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for lane guiding a vehicle at the end of a production line by performing driving tests on a roller dynamometer, wherein a sideways motion of the vehicle on the roller dynamometer is compensated for by steering motions, wherein a steering wheel grip device is present by means of which the steering wheel is gripped, wherein a sensor arrangement is further present for detecting a sideways motion of the vehicle, wherein the output signals of the sensor arrangement are fed into a controller by which at least one adjusting element of the steering wheel grip unit is actuated, by means of which a rotation of the steering wheel is introduced for compensating for the sideways motion of the vehicle. The invention further relates to a device for performing the method.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Method and device for tracking a vehicle

The invention relates to a method for Spurfuhrung a vehicle at the end of a production line for the implementation of driving tests on a chassis dynamometer.

Currently, a functional test of the vehicle in defined driving conditions by the vehicle is introduced into a chassis dynamometer in which the corresponding driving conditions are simulated.

Such roller test stands can be designed both as so-called apex roller test stands and as Doppelrollenprüfständen. In the case of the crown roller test stands, the wheels of the vehicle stand on the topmost point of a roller, by means of whose rotation or load acting on the vehicle the driving conditions are simulated. In order to avoid that the vehicle rolls from this point on the rollers of the chassis dynamometer, so-called retaining rollers are present, which also rest against the wheels of the vehicle. In the Doppelrollenprüfständen the vehicle wheels are assigned two roles, so that the vehicle wheels are between the two roles.

By simulating the driving conditions, lateral movements of the vehicle may occur which must be compensated to prevent the tires of the vehicle from getting too frequent lateral contact with stop buffers. These lateral contacts lead to wear of the tire. For this purpose, an operator is currently sitting in the vehicle while it is being checked on the chassis dynamometer. This operator must compensate for the lateral movements of the vehicle by appropriate steering movements.

The object of the present invention is to make vehicle production more efficient.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a method according to claim 1, by a steering wheel gripping unit is present, with which the steering wheel is gripped, W

further comprising a sensor arrangement for detecting a lateral movement of the vehicle, wherein the output signals of the sensor arrangement are fed to a control device, is controlled by the at least one actuating element on the steering wheel gripping unit with which a steering wheel rotation is initiated to compensate for the lateral movement of the vehicle.

Advantageously, this makes it possible that during the testing process no operator must be in the vehicle.

This proves to be advantageous insofar as a faster reaction and a faster intervention to carry out the necessary steering movements is possible by the automated control.

It is possible to realize the data transmission for controlling the actuating element on the steering wheel gripping unit wirelessly by means of a radio, ultrasonic or infrared transmission. Similarly, the data transfer can be wired. Especially the latter leads to an improvement in the security of data transmission.

In the embodiment of the method according to claim 2, the steering wheel gripping unit engages from outside through an open side window of the vehicle into the vehicle, wherein the steering wheel gripping unit is carried by means of at least one guide element with the vehicle from a parking position of the vehicle in front of the chassis dynamometer as the vehicle's entry position in the Roller test bench up to a parking position of the vehicle behind the chassis dynamometer as exit position of the vehicle from the chassis dynamometer, wherein the steering wheel gripping unit is moved to the parking position after decoupling the steering wheel gripping unit at the parking position to the entry position.

When parking the vehicle in the parking position of the vehicle in front of the chassis dynamometer, the steering wheel gripping unit is coupled. By this steering wheel gripping unit is carried along with the vehicle, by an appropriate control of the control units for the engine management, the transmission management and the active brake intervention by automating the steering interventions, the vehicle automatically into the chassis dynamometer driven and - after completion of the tests to be carried out - be driven out again.

It proves to be advantageous that even during a possible waiting time for the release of the chassis dynamometer no operator in the vehicle has to wait.

In the embodiment according to claim 3 is transmitted from a control center for production control a request signal to a waiting in the entry position of a chassis test vehicle when the chassis dynamometer is recognized by the control center as free, depending on this request signal control signals to the engine, the transmission control and the control of the vehicle brake are output, with which the vehicle is moved to the chassis dynamometer, wherein upon entry of the vehicle in the chassis dynamometer, a control of the lateral movement of the vehicle is made by means of the steering wheel gripping unit and wherein after completion of the tests on the chassis dynamometer control signals to the motor - Issued the transmission control and the vehicle brake control, with which the vehicle is moved out of the chassis dynamometer, with the exit of the vehicle from the chassis dynamometer, a control of the lateral movement of the vehicle medium s the steering wheel gripping unit is made.

Claim 3 describes the automated movement of the vehicle in the chassis dynamometer and from the chassis dynamometer as well as the automated performance of the tests in the chassis dynamometer.

In the current production process, communication between ECUs in the vehicle and a production control center usually takes place anyway. Advantageously, via this communication, the vehicle can be made to retract automatically in the chassis dynamometer, if it is recognized by the control center as free.

In the embodiment of the method according to claim 4, a camera is arranged on the steering wheel gripping unit, which is directed onto the dashboard of the vehicle and whose signals are fed to an evaluation unit. Advantageously, it is thus possible to control the display devices in the dashboard during the simulated driving situations on the proper functioning of the display devices. This can be done by the image captured by the camera is compared with certain target states, these target states may be dependent on the currently present simulated driving situation and / or their functional tests that are made to test displays in the dashboard.

In the embodiment of the method according to claim the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in areas that are different in the axial direction of the rollers on the outer surface of the rollers surfaces with different coefficients of friction to wheels of a vehicle and / or different surfaces for the simulation of different road surfaces, said Control device different setpoints for the lateral positioning of the vehicle can be specified so that the wheels of the vehicle to perform certain driving tests on defined areas of the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in the axial direction of the rollers stand up.

By providing regions having different coefficients of friction or different surfaces in the axial direction of the rollers, different driving situations can be simulated, depending on the lateral positioning of the vehicle.

To this end, the control device is advantageously designed such that different setpoint values for the lateral positioning of the vehicle can be predetermined for this control device. As a result, the vehicle is positioned differently on the chassis dynamometer in the lateral direction. The control device can therefore be achieved in this embodiment that the vehicle is laterally positioned so that each particular driving conditions can be performed according to the lateral positioning of the vehicle.

The different coefficients of friction can, for example, relate to different road adhesion for simulating icy road surfaces in relation to other road surfaces. For example, the different road surfaces may affect differences between paved roads and cobblestones. The different setpoint values can be predefined to the control device, for example, such that the control device is preset in such a way that it holds the vehicle in certain lateral positions for certain periods of time. For these periods then the corresponding data of the driving simulation for the respective surface can be recorded. The setpoint values can also be specified externally to the control device. This may be, for example, from a higher-level control unit such as a control center for production control or other control or regulating means by which the data of the driving simulation are determined. The setpoints for the lateral positioning can be transmitted directly. Likewise, certain states can be transmitted (for example, a state "driving simulation on the surface" cobblestone "completed"). The control device can automatically deduce that the vehicle must be positioned laterally differently in order to be able to drive through a driving simulation with another surface.

Claim 6 relates to a device in which the steering wheel gripping unit rotatably mounted about the steering axis means for attachment to the steering wheel and a clamping device with which the means for attachment to the steering wheel relative to the vehicle are braced.

This tension with respect to the vehicle can for example be done by the steering wheel gripping unit is supported relative to the vehicle floor after gripping the steering wheel It is also possible to make the support against the seat and / or the backrest of the driver's seat, against the dashboard and / or the windshield.

In this embodiment, the steering wheel gripping unit advantageously does not have to be carried outside the vehicle. In particular, in the case of non-wired communication, it is possible to implement the invention in a simple manner and without changes to the production system itself.

In the embodiment according to claim 7, the steering wheel gripping unit from the outside through the opened side window of the vehicle into the vehicle is hineinführ, wherein the Steering wheel gripping unit comprises means for attachment to the steering wheel of the vehicle, said means being rotatable about the steering axis of the vehicle.

Advantageously, such a steering wheel gripping unit can be supported outside the vehicle, so that any damage in the vehicle interior can be avoided.

In the embodiment according to claim 8, the steering wheel gripping unit is guided over a guided in the floor area, in the wall area and / or in the ceiling area of the vehicle test stand tracking.

Advantageously, the retraction in the chassis dynamometer and the extension from the chassis dynamometer can be automated because the steering wheel gripping unit can follow the movement of the vehicle.

In the embodiment according to claim 9, the steering wheel gripping unit has a camera connected to an evaluation unit, which is directed onto the instrument panel of the vehicle.

Advantageously, this camera can also be used to realize automated functional tests of display devices in the area of the dashboard of the vehicle. For this purpose - depending on current driving conditions on the chassis dynamometer and / or depending on other set parameters of the vehicle - the detected images of the camera can be compared with corresponding expected values. Deviations can lead to malfunctions.

In the embodiment according to claim 10, the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in areas that are different in the axial direction of the rollers on the outer surface of the rollers surfaces with different coefficients of friction to wheels of a vehicle and / or different surfaces for the simulation of different road surfaces, wherein the control device different setpoints for the lateral positioning of the vehicle are predetermined, so that the wheels of the vehicle to carry out certain Driving tests on defined areas of the rollers of the chassis dynamometer stand up in the axial direction of the rollers.

With regard to the advantages and implementation options of this embodiment, reference is made to the statements in connection with the method claim 5.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in more detail in the drawing. It shows in detail:

1 shows a first embodiment of a chassis dynamometer with an entrance area and an exit area,

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a chassis dynamometer with an entry area and an exit area;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view to the representation of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a detail view to illustrate FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a steering wheel gripping unit for illustrating FIGS. 1 and 3 and FIG

FIG. 6 shows a representation of a steering wheel gripping unit for the representation of FIGS. 2 and 4.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a chassis dynamometer 1 with a driveway area 2 and an exit area 3. Both in the entrance area 2 and in the exit area 3 vehicles can be parked when they are brought to the chassis dynamometer 1, but this still by testing another vehicle is occupied. The steering wheel gripping unit 4 can already be attached when the vehicle is parked.

If it is recognized by the production control system that the chassis dynamometer 1 is free, because this functional test of the other vehicle is completed and this has left the chassis dynamometer 1, the control units of the engine and / or transmission management Actuate control elements in the vehicle such that this vehicle automatically enters the chassis dynamometer 1.

It can be seen that a circumferential guide 5 is provided for the steering wheel gripping unit 4. This guide 5 is mounted in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 on the ceiling.

In the automatic driving of the vehicle, the steering wheel gripping unit is advantageously pulled along by the movement of the vehicle in the guide 5.

If the vehicle has left it again after carrying out the tests in the chassis dynamometer 1, the steering wheel gripping unit 4 is removed again in the exit area 3. The vehicle can then be driven away from the exit area.

Characterized in that the guide 5 is formed circumferentially, the steering wheel gripping unit 4 can be returned to the entrance area 2 back. The steering wheel gripping unit is therefore advantageously moved back to the entrance area 2 by the vehicle in the exit area 3 after it has been disassembled.

It can be seen that a circumferential guide 5 is present. Furthermore, a circumferential guide 6 is still mounted on the other side. As a result, suitable steering wheel gripping units can also be mounted in a simple manner for vehicles designed as right-hand drive vehicles.

If the (later to be described in more detail) transverse arm of the steering wheel gripping unit 4 trained long enough or telekopierbar long enough, trained as right-hand drive vehicles can be moved by a steering wheel gripping unit which engages through the left side window in the vehicle. It should be noted here only that because of the extension of the lever arms, the moments to be supported become larger.

It can be seen that in the illustrated embodiment, the steering wheel gripping units 4 are guided forward in the vehicle-mounted state along the outer longitudinal rail. This advantageously saves space in the width. To be able to move the steering wheel gripping units past vehicles, these are in the vertical direction telescopically and / or pivotable in the upper Aufliängungspunkt about a horizontal axis, so that the steering wheel gripping units 4 can be moved along the inner guide rail on subsequent vehicles away.

FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment to the representation of FIG. 1. The same parts are provided with the same reference symbols as in FIG. 1.

In contrast to the representation of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 shows that the steering wheel gripping units 7 are guided here not only in the ceiling area but also in the floor area.

Instead of the guideway 5, therefore, two guideways 8 and 9 can be seen. Likewise, instead of the guideway 6, the two guideways 10 and 11 are present.

In this embodiment, however, the steering wheel gripping units 7 are guided during the movement on the vehicle-mounted state along the inner guide rail and guided along the outer guide rail back.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view to illustrate FIG. 1. In this case, the steering wheel gripping unit 4 can be seen, which is mounted on the vehicle. The steering wheel gripping unit 4 is moved in the vehicle-mounted state along the outer guide rail 12 of the guideway 5. The steering wheel gripping unit 4 is guided by the motor along the inner guide rail 13 of the guideway from the exit area into the entrance area of the chassis dynamometer.

FIG. 4 shows a detail view to illustrate FIG. 2. The steering wheel gripping unit 7 is guided in the vehicle-mounted state along the inner guide rails 14 and 15 of the guideways 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the steering wheel gripping units 7 are guided back along the outer guide rails 16 and 17 of the guideways 8 and 9.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of a steering wheel gripping unit 4 for illustrating FIGS. 1 and 3. It can be seen that the steering wheel gripping unit 4 has a transverse arm 18 and a vertical arm 19. Both the Queraüssleger 18 and the vertical boom 19 are telecopable. The vertical boom 19 of the steering wheel gripping unit 4 is still rotatably mounted about the vertical axis (20). Furthermore, the transverse arm 18 is rotatably mounted about the horizontal axis, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the steering wheel gripping unit 4 (21)

The steering wheel gripping unit 4 has a clamping unit 22, with which the steering wheel of the vehicle can be gripped positively and / or positively. This clamping unit 22 is rotatably mounted relative to the steering wheel gripping unit 4. This rotatable bearing can be driven by a motor. Furthermore, a rotary encoder is present, so that the current rotational position can be detected. Advantageously, this clamping unit with respect to the steering wheel gripping unit 4 is still rotatable so far that it can grip the steering wheel regardless of the height or length setting of the steering wheel in the vehicle.

In order to synchronize the zero position of the steering, the rotary encoder of the steering wheel gripping unit 4 is advantageously synchronized with the rotary encoder of the vehicle during the assembly of the steering wheel gripping unit 4.

Furthermore, it can still be seen that a camera 23 is mounted on the steering wheel gripping unit. As already described at the beginning, it is thus possible to check the display device in the area of the dashboard.

FIG. 6 shows an illustration of a steering wheel gripping unit 7 for illustrating FIGS. 2 and 4.

This is a steering wheel gripping unit 7, which is track guided both in the ground and in the ceiling. This proves to be advantageous in that it allows the moments occurring during steering can be easily absorbed.

The transverse arm 24 of the gripping unit 7 is in turn telekopierbar and rotatably mounted according to the arrow. The clamping unit 25 is in turn mounted so that it can follow the different steering wheel settings in the vehicle. Incidentally, the sequence with a steering wheel gripping unit 7 is identical to the sequence with a steering wheel gripping unit 4. This also relates to the possibility of providing a camera, even if this is not explicitly drawn in Figure 6.

It can be seen that it is also possible to design a steering wheel gripping unit so that it is supported in the vehicle interior. This can be done for example by means of telescoping supports in the floor area of the vehicle or on the vehicle seat (for example on the seat or the backrest). To avoid damage when supporting, it is also possible to design a pressure element with a larger area.

In these steering wheel gripping units, which do not reach into the vehicle from the outside, it is advantageously possible to achieve greater independence in the movement of the vehicle as well as with regard to the transport path on which the steering wheel gripping units are transported back to the entry area of the respective chassis dynamometer.

Claims

1. A method for tracking a vehicle at the end of a production line for performing road tests on a chassis dynamometer (1), wherein by steering movements a lateral movement of the vehicle on the chassis dynamometer (1) is compensated, characterized in that a steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) available is, with which the steering wheel is gripped, further comprising a sensor arrangement for detecting a lateral movement of the vehicle, the output signals of the sensor arrangement are fed to a control device, at least one actuating element (22, 25) on the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) is controlled, with which a steering wheel rotation is initiated to compensate for the lateral movement of the vehicle.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) engages from the outside through an opened side window of the vehicle in the vehicle, wherein the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) by means of at least one guide element (5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11) is carried along with the vehicle from a parking position of the vehicle in front of the chassis dynamometer (1) as entry position (2) of the vehicle in the chassis dynamometer (1) to a parking position of the vehicle behind the chassis dynamometer (1) as exit position ( 3) of the vehicle from the chassis dynamometer (1), wherein the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) after decoupling the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) at the parking position (3) is moved by motor to the entry position (2) back.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that from a control center for production control, a request signal to a in the entry position (2) of a chassis dynamometer (1) waiting vehicle is transmitted when the chassis dynamometer (1) recognized by the control center as free is issued, depending on this request signal control signals to the engine, the transmission control and the control of the vehicle brake, with which the vehicle is moved to the chassis dynamometer (1), wherein at the entrance of the vehicle in the chassis dynamometer (1) a controller the lateral movement of the vehicle by means of the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) is made and wherein Completion of tests on the chassis dynamometer (1) Control signals are issued to the engine, transmission control and vehicle brake control system, which pulls the vehicle out of the chassis dynamometer (1), leaving the chassis dynamometer (1) a control of the lateral movement of the vehicle by means of the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) is made.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that on the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) a camera (23) is arranged, which is directed to the instrument panel of the vehicle and whose signals are fed to an evaluation unit.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in areas that are different in the axial direction of the rollers on the outer surface of the rollers surfaces with different coefficients of friction to wheels of a vehicle and / or different surfaces Have simulation of different road surfaces, wherein the controller different target values for the lateral positioning of the vehicle can be specified so that the wheels of the vehicle to carry out certain driving tests on defined areas of the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in the axial direction of the rollers.

6. A device for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or claim 3 or 4 in the back to claim 1 or claim 5, characterized in that the steering wheel gripping unit rotatably mounted about the steering axis means for attachment to the steering wheel and a clamping device, with the the means for attachment to the steering wheel relative to the vehicle are braced.

7. Device for carrying out the method according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) can be guided from the outside through the opened side window of the vehicle into the vehicle, wherein the steering wheel gripping unit (4 , 7) means (22, 25) for attachment to the steering wheel of the vehicle, said means (22, 25) being rotatable about the steering axis of the vehicle.

8. The device according to claim 7, characterized in that the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) via a in the bottom area, in the wall area and / or in the ceiling area of the vehicle test bench (1) attached tracking (5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11) is guided.

9. Device according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the steering wheel gripping unit (4, 7) has a camera connected to an evaluation unit (23), which is directed to the dashboard of the vehicle.

10. Device according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in areas which are different in the axial direction of the rollers on the outer circumferential surface of the rollers surfaces with different coefficients of friction to wheels of a vehicle and / or different surfaces Have simulation of different road surfaces, wherein the control device different setpoints for the lateral positioning of the vehicle are predetermined, so that the wheels of the vehicle to carry out certain driving tests on defined areas of the rollers of the chassis dynamometer in the axial direction of the rollers.