Technical Field
The present invention relates to a test system for testing a moving body such as
a vehicle, ship, or airplane, or a device used in the moving body.
Also, the present invention relates to a vehicle performance test system for
testing performance of a vehicle such as an automobile.
Background Art
Conventionally, as a vehicle test system, for example, there is known a test
system that is adapted to connect a plurality of measuring devices to one measurement
management apparatus, and make the measurement management apparatus collectively
manage the measuring devices. Also, a system disclosed in Patent literature 1 is one
that is adapted to provide an automatic test management apparatus above the
15 measurement management apparatus, and make the automatic test management
apparatus determine a test schedule.
Meanwhile, each of the measuring devices should be regularly inspected,
calibrated, and maintained because the use thereof causes a reduction in performance to
20 make it impossible to ensure reliability of measuring accuracy. Times of such an
inspection and the like may be provided for in test regulations. Such pieces of
maintenance management information on each of the measuring devices are displayed
on a display of the measurement management apparatus, for example, through a
window in another window displaying measurement data.
Also, a conventional vehicle performance test system for testing performance
of a vehicle such as an automobile is adapted to: make an automatic driving robot run an
automobile mounted on a chassis dynamometer according to a predetermined running
mode; collect exhaust gas discharged at the time with a fixed capacity sampling device;
supply the collected sample gas to an exhaust gas measuring apparatus mounted with a
plurality of gas analyzers respectively having different measuring principles to measure
respective components; and thereby test performance of the automobile (Patent
literature 2).
Meanwhile, in this sort of vehicle performance test system, tests provided for in
the law are performed, and therefore temperature, flow velocity of exhaust gas, and the
like during the tests should be accurately adjusted. However, this sort of vehicle
performance test system has an extremely complicated flow path system, and therefore
once trouble occurs, it is difficult to quickly locate a point causing the trouble to restore
15 it.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[Patent literature 11 JPA 2005-49353
[Patent literature 21 JPA 20 10-276473
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
However, in the case where the number of measuring devices connected to the
25 same measurement management apparatus is large, the maintenance management
information cannot be wholly displayed on a screen of the measurement management
apparatus in some cases. For example, in the case where the windows are displayed
with overlapping each other, the maintenance management information is covered. In
this case, a possibility of overlooking the maintenance management information
5 becomes large. For this reason, it may become difficult to maintain and manage the
measuring devices as scheduled, and reliability of measurement accuracy may be
reduced.
Such a problem is common to testing devices including the measuring devices.
The present invention is made in consideration of such a problem, and a main
10 object thereof is to provide a test system that is adapted to be able to simply and
preferentially display, in particular, pieces of highly urgent maintenance management
information on all of testing devices connected to a device management apparatus, and
perform a secure maintenance check.
Also, the present invention is made in order to provide a vehicle performance
15 test system that can quickly locate a point causing trouble.
Solution to Problem
That is, a test system according to the present invention is provided with: one
or more testing devices used for a test; and a device management apparatus that is
20 communicably connected to the testing devices to manage the testing devices, wherein
the device management apparatus has a display part that obtains various types of
information outputted from the testing devices, and erasably, switchably, or movably
displays the pieces of information on a display, wherein regardless of the display of the
pieces of information, the display part preferentially displays three alarm icons that are
25 respectively for three pieces of alarm information including: sensitivity alarm
i information indicating a reduction in sensitivity of each of the testing devices;
accumulated operating time alarm information that is alarm information on an
accumulated operating time of the testing device; and inspection dateltime alarm
i information that is information indicating approaching or passing of inspection
5 dateltime of the testing device, and respectively have forms that are changed depending
I on contents indicated by the respective pieces of alarm information. I
i If so, in any of the cases where the various types of information outputted from
I
0 the testing devices are displayed, not displayed, and moved on the display, the display
10 part displays the three alarm icons. Accordingly, even in the case where information
I
from any of the testing devices is not displayed, or other display content overlap the
information to make recognition difficult, or in another case, only by checking the alarm
icons, it can be checked whether or not each of the testing devices is in an alarm state.
In the present invention, "changing a form" refers to changing a shape, size,
15 color, pattern or design, font, lighting state (lightness, blinking), andlor the like of each
of the alarm icons displayed in the display part alone or in combination, and includes a
visual change of the alarm icon.
In order to be able to quickly check pieces of alarm information generated in
20 the whole of the system, the present invention is preferably configured such that a single
alarm icon display area that displays the three alarm icons as a set is provided on the
display, and when any of the testing devices is brought into an alarm state, a form of a
corresponding one of the alarm icons is changed.
In order to immediately finish work corresponding to an generated alarm, the
present invention is preferably configured such that when any of the alarm icons is
selected and operated, a switch to a list display screen that provides a list display of
alarms as a list with demarcating the alarms for each occurrence location and for each
content is made; and further, when one column on the list display screen is designated
5 and operated, a predetermined unit schematic diagram including a generation location of
an alarm is displayed, and in the schematic diagram, the alarm generation location is
displayed with the location being specified.
In the above configuration, the testing devices include a measuring device that
10 measures a state quantity of the object. Specifically, as the measuring device, one that
is provided in an exhaust path of an internal combustion engine and measures exhaust
gas flowing through the exhaust path can be cited.
Also, a vehicle performance test system according to the present invention is
15 provided with: a measuring device that analyzes exhaust gas to measure performance of
a vehicle; and a management apparatus that manages the measuring device, wherein the
management apparatus is provided with: a situation data obtaining part that, as situation
data, successively obtain information on an operating situation of an analyzer; a trouble
data recording part that in a case where content of the obtained situation data meets a
20 predetermined condition, records the situation data in a memory as trouble data; a
trouble list display part that displays, among contents indicated by pieces of trouble data
recorded in the trouble data recording part, at least contents related to a predetermined
item on a screen in a form of a table that is demarcated so as to be able to select each of
pieces of trouble data; and a locational information screen display part that displays a
25 locational information screen that illustrates a location where selected trouble data is
obtained.
If so, troubles having occurred are displayed as a list by the trouble list display
part, and therefore the whole picture of a trouble occurrence situation can be overlooked,
5 and also a location where trouble selected in the locational information screen display
part occurs is illustrated, so that the location where the trouble occurs can be visually
easily recognized. For this reason, a location where trouble occurs can be quickly
grasped to immediately resolve the trouble.
The present invention may be further provided with a monitoring screen
display part that, on the screen, displays an alarm icon that lights when the trouble data
recording part records trouble data.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
According to the test system of the present invention configured as described,
the display part is adapted to, regardless of the display of the pieces of information,
preferentially display the alarm icons respectively having forms that are changed
depending on contents indicated by the pieces of alarm information, and therefore the
occurrence of an alarm in each of the testing devices can be checked at any time without
20 performing any operation.
Also, according to the vehicle performance test system of the present invention
configured as described, an occurrence location of trouble can be quickly grasped to
immediately resolve the trouble.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a vehicle performance test
system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
I
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a measuring device and a device
I management apparatus in the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating a plug-in screen in the first
I embodiment;
~
FIG. 4 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating detailed information
10 screen in the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an alarm icon area in the
first embodiment with enlarging the area;
FIG. 6 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating an alarm list display
I window in the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a screen configuration diagram illustrating a locational information
window in the first embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a schematic overall diagram illustrating a vehicle performance test
system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a device management apparatus and an
20 exhaust gas measuring device in the second embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a screen explanatory diagram illustrating a monitoring screen in the
second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is a screen explanatory diagram illustrating a trouble list display screen
in the second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is a screen explanatory diagram illustrating a locational information
Brief Description of Drawings
display screen in the second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a screen explanatory diagram illustrating a locational information
display screen in another embodiment; and
FIG. 14 is a screen explanatory diagram illustrating a locational information
5 display screen in still another embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
In the following, a first embodiment of the present invention is described
referring to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the whole of a vehicle
performance test system according to the first embodiment. The vehicle performance
test system 1 is, as illustrated in the diagram, one that is provided with a chassis
dynamometer 2, an automatic driving apparatus 3, a plurality of testing devices (exhaust
15 gas measuring devices) 4, a device management apparatus 5, and the like, and can bring
a vehicle into a pseudo-running state on the chassis dynamometer 2 to test performance
on a fuel consumption, exhaust gas components, and the like of the vehicle. In
addition, the test system 1 can also be applied to tests of an engine single body.
The respective parts are described.
The chassis dynamometer 2 is configured to, by cooperating with the automatic
driving apparatus 3, enable a vehicle VH to make a pseudo-run in a state similar to that
at the time of an actual run.
The automatic driving apparatus 3 is adapted to be able to operate an
accelerator, brake, clutch, and the like with being mounted in a driver's cab of the
vehicle VH, and automatically run the vehicle VH in one or more running modes such
as a 10 mode and an LA mode.
The exhaust gas measuring devices 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as
measuring devices 4 as well) refer to devices used to measure exhaust gas, and include,
in addition to a device that is configured to integrate one or more gas analyzing units as
a unit devices and measures the exhaust gas components, a device that performs
10 preprocessing for measuring the exhaust gas components, like a fixed capacity sampling
I
I device, as well.
In the first embodiment, a plurality of types of devices is used as the measuring
devices. For example, a first measuring device 41 that incorporates a plurality of gas
15 analyzing units respectively having different measuring principles, a second measuring
device 42 that is a fixed capacity sampling device, a third measuring device 43 that is an
EGR rate measuring device, a fourth measuring device 44 that is an ultrasonic
flowmeter, and the like are used. The gas analyzing units include, for example, FID
for measuring THC, CLD for measuring NO,, NDIR for measuring CO and COz, and
20 the like.
The measuring devices 4 are ones that measure amounts of the respective
components associated with sampled gas, such as HC, NOx, CO, and COz, and from
corresponding measured values, calculate performance values such as the fuel
25 consumption and an EGR rate of devices constituting the vehicle, such as an internal
combustion engine and a catalyst.
Each of the measuring devices 4 incorporates a local computer, and is provided
with: a device main body part 4a that controls operating modes (such as a measurement
5 mode, calibration mode, and purge mode) and state modes (such as a sleep mode and a
stand-by mode) of the measuring device 4; and a communication part 4b that receives a
command signal from the device management apparatus 5 as well as transmitting
operating situation information to the device management apparatus 5. The local
a computer is further provided with an information accumulation part 4c that
10 accumulates: sensitivity information that is information on sensitivity of a sensor part;
accumulated operating time information that indicates accumulated operating times of
respective parts; inspection dateltime specifying information that is information for
specifying a preset inspection dateltime of the measuring device 4; and the like.
The device management apparatus 5 is, for example, one that is configured by
installing a predetermined program in a general-purpose computer, and physically
provided with a CPU, memory, display 5 1, input receiving part 52 including a keyboard
and a mouse, communication interface, and the like. Also, the device management
apparatus 5 is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, configured to fulfill functions as a management
20 main body part 53, communication part 54, input receiving part 52, display part 55, and
the like. Further, the device management apparatus 5 is provided with a
communication port, and the measuring devices 4 are mutually communicably
connected to the device management apparatus 5 by wire or wireless means.
Further, the management main body part 53 of the device management
apparatus 5 has functions that respectively generate: sensitivity alarm information on
the basis of sensitivity information that is accumulated in the alarm information
accumulation part of each of the measuring devices 41 to 44 and then outputted;
accumulated operating time alarm information on the basis of accumulated operating
5 time information outputted from each of the measuring devices 41 to 44; and inspection
dateltime alarm information on the basis of inspection dateltime specifLing information
that is outputted from each of the measuring devices 41 to 44.
e The sensitivity alarm information is set with an upper limit and a lower limit as
10 criterions for determining sensitivity information, and generated on the basis of a
relationship with upper and lower limits of obtained sensitivity information.
Specifically, in the case where the obtained sensitivity information is equal to or more
than the upper limit, the sensitivity alarm information is not generated; in the case
I where the obtained sensitivity information is less than the upper limit and equal to or
15 more than the lower limit, alerting information indicating being in an alert state is
I
generated; and in the case where the obtained sensitivity information is less than the
lower limit, alarming information is generated. The alerting information is one that,
before informing an alarm, informs that sensitivity is being reduced. In the present
embodiment, the alerting information and the alarming information are included in the
20 sensitivity alarm information.
The accumulated operating time alarm information is generated in the case
where as a result of comparing obtained accumulated operating time information with
endurance time information on a component of each of the measuring devices 41 to 44,
25 particularly endurance time information on a consumable part, a difference between the
both is equal to or less than a predetermined value.
The inspection dateltime alarm information is generated in the case where as a
result of comparing obtained inspection dateltirne specifying information with a current
5 dateltime, a datahime in the inspection dateltime specifiring information is close to the
current dateltime, or passes the current dateltime. Being close includes the case where
the inspection dateltime is before the current dateltime, and the case where the
inspection dateltime coincides with the current dateltime.
Further, the management main body part 53 creates an after-mentioned alarm
list L on the basis of generated sensitivity alarm information, accumulated operating
time alarm information, and inspection dateltime alarm information. The alarm list L
is created for each of the measuring devices 41 to 44 on the basis of the sensitivity
alarm information, accumulated operating time alarm information, and inspection
15 dateltime alarm information.
Next, operation centering on the device management apparatus 5 is described.
First, an operator performs various types of work (such as piping) associated
20 with the measuring devices 4, and then physically connects the measuring devices 4 to
the device management apparatus 7.
On the display 51 of the device management apparatus 5, as an initial screen, a
screen (hereinafter also referred to as a plug-in screen) as illustrated in FIG. 3 is
displayed by a function of the display part 55. On the plug-in screen 8, a plurality of
25 device marks 81 indicating the preliminarily registered measuring devices 4 are
arranged without overlapping one another, and also below the device marks 81, an
operating situation icon area 80 is arranged. Each of the device marks 81 is provided
with: a connecting button 82 for connecting to a corresponding one of the measuring
devices 4; a disconnecting button 83 for disconnecting the measuring device 4; and a
5 connecting state display area 84 indicating a connecting state.
When the connecting button 82 is clicked, a character string "Connected"
indicating a state of being communicably connected is displayed in the connecting state
a display area 84 of the device mark 81. In addition, until mutual communication is
10 established, in the connecting state display area 84, a character string "Initialization"
indicating a state of being in preparation for the connection is displayed. Similarly,
I when the disconnecting button 83 is clicked, a character string "Stopped" indicating a
state where the connection is cancelled is displayed in the connecting state display area
I 84.
I
In addition, if the connecting button 82 is clicked in a state where a connector
cable is unplugged, or the connector cable is unplugged during the connecting state, a
character string "Configuration Mismatch" indicating a state of failing in connection is
displayed in the connecting state display area 84.
Also, in the connecting state, a reconnecting button (restart button) 85 is newly
displayed, and when the reconnecting button 85 is clicked, the communication part 54
restarts a connecting protocol to make reconnection.
In addition, the present invention may be configured to, when each of the
14
measuring devices 4 is physically connected to the device management apparatus 5,
make them mutually communicable.
I In the case of, in the above manner, communicably connecting the necessary
I 5 measuring devices 4 to the device management apparatus 5, and performing a
I predetermined operation, the display part 55 displays a detailed information display
screen 9A displaying various types of detailed information on the display 51. The
I detailed information display screen 9A is one that displays pieces of measurement data
by the measuring devices 4, and various types of information in the operating modes
10 (such as the measurement mode, calibration mode, and purge mode) and the state modes
(such as the sleep mode and the stand-by mode).
On the detailed information display screen 9A, a device panel window 9 that
displays pieces of calibration data, pieces of measurement data, and the like as graphs,
15 numerical values, and the like correspondingly to the various types of information
outputted from the respective measuring devices 41 to 44 is displayed by the display
part 55. The device panel window 9 can display the pieces of detailed information
including measurement results inputted from the respective measuring devices 41 to 44
in the form of graphs, numerical values, or the like by clicking a display form switching
20 button 12.
Thus, when the respective measuring devices 41 to 44 are activated, the
management main body part 53 of the device management apparatus 5 generates
respective pieces of alarm information from sensitivity information, accumulated
25 operating time information and inspection datehime specifLing information
accumulated in an alarm information accumulation part 4c of each of the measuring
devices 41 to 44, and reflects the pieces of alarm information in alarm icons 10. If the
obtained sensitivity information, accumulated operating time information, or inspection
dateltime specifying information meets a criterion for determining corresponding alarm
generation, the management main body part 53 generates corresponding alarm
information, and the display part 55 changes a form of a corresponding one of the alarm
icons 10 correspondingly to content indicated by the alarm information.
The alarm icons 10 are ones that are displayed in a single alarm icon display
area 11, and configured to include: a sensitivity alarm icon 10a corresponding to
sensitivity alarm information; an accumulated operating time alarm icon lob
corresponding to accumulated operating time alarm information; and an inspection
dateltime alarm icon 10c corresponding to inspection dateltime alarm information.
The alarm icon display area 11 is displayed in an upper part of a screen of the display,
specifically displayed in the uppermost part of each of screens including the plug-in
screen 8. Accordingly, the alarm icon display area 11 is one that is preferentially
displayed regardless of display of an object such as a window that is displayed in each
of screens and displays measurement data or the like. Also, the sensitivity alarm icon
10% accumulated operating time alarm icon lob, and inspection dateltime alarm icon
1Oc are ones that are set for all of the measuring devices 41 to 44 one by one.
For example, in the case where sensitivity information indicating a reduction in
sensitivity of some sensor is inputted from the first measuring device 41 to the
management main body part 53 through the communication part 54, the management
main body part 53 compares the sensitivity information with preset upper and lower
limits, and in the case where the sensitivity information is less than the upper limit,
outputs the alerting information or the alarming information. On the basis of this, the
display part 55 changes a form of the sensitivity alarm icon 10% for example, a color of
the sensitivity alarm icon lOa, to display the generation of the sensitivity alarm. The
5 sensitivity alarm information includes the alerting information and the alarming
information, and therefore the sensitivity alarm icon 10a displays a sensitivity state in a
different color for each of the piece of information.
a Similarly, accumulated operating time information is inputted; on the basis of a
10 result of comparison with the endurance time information, the accumulated operating
time alarm information is outputted; and the display part 55 changes a form of the
accumulated operating time alarm icon lob.
Further, in the case where as a result of inputting inspection dateltime
15 specifying information, an inspection dateltime based on the inspection dateltime
specifying information is close to a current dateltime, or passes the current dateltime,
the inspection dateltime alarm information is outputted, and the display part 55 changes
a form of the inspection dateltime alarm icon 10c.
In the case where any of the alarm icons 10 displays an alarm in the above
manner, by selecting and operating, for example, clicking the icon, an alarm list display
window G1 that provides a list display as a list is displayed corresponding to content of
the displayed alarm. The alarm list display window G1 displays the alarm list L in
which alarms are demarcated for each generation location and for each content.
By operating, for example, double-clicking one column, which is highlighted
by being designated, in a state where the alarm list L is displayed, a schematic diagram
P of the predetermined gas analyzing units and the like including a generation location
of an alarm is displayed on a locational information window G2. In the schematic
5 diagram P, the alarm generation location M is displayed with being specified by being
made different in a display form from other locations, for example, made different in
color. Further, below the schematic diagram P, information on a way to handle the
alarm is displayed.
As described, in an upper part of the display 51, regardless of display of a
screen, the sensitivity alarm icon 10% accumulated operating time alarm icon lob, and
inspection datettime alarm icon 1Oc are displayed in the alarm icon display area 11, and
when an alarm is generated, a form of a corresponding one of the icons is changed, so
that an alarm generated during measuring the exhaust gas can be constantly surely
15 grasped.
In this case, an alarm for sensitivity or accumulated operating time can be
grasped, and therefore a sensor having reduced sensitivity, a consumable part of which
replacement time is approaching, such as a motor, or the like can be efficiently
20 maintained. Also, on the basis of an inspection datettime alarm, a regular inspection
and adjustment of each of the analyzing units, which are required by exhaust gas
regulations, can be surely performed by a due date. Accordingly, the measuring
devices 4 can be respectively kept in states of being able to make expected
measurements.
In addition, by operating an alarm icon 10 having a changed form, an alarm list
is displayed, and further by designating one of columns listed in the alarm list and
clicking the column, the schematic diagram P indicating an alarm generation location M
is displayed, so that the location where an alarm is generated can be easily visually
5 recognized. For this reason, the content and location of the alarm generation can be
quickly grasped to immediately resolve trouble causing the alarm.
Also, only a generation location of a selected alarm is indicated by a mark M in
I
' a the locational information window G2, and therefore even in the case where in the
10 locational information window G2, another trouble occurrence location is present, an
occurrence location of selected trouble can be easily specified.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described first
embodiment.
The display 51 may be one that is configured to be of a touch panel type. In
this case, in place of the click operation in the above-described first embodiment, by
placing a finger, an input pen, or the like on an operation button such as a connecting
button 82 or a disconnecting button 83 to touch a screen, the same operation as the
20 clicking can be performed.
In the above-described first embodiment, described is the measurement on an
internal combustion engine mounted in the vehicle; however, the present invention may
be one that, with another device of the vehicle, such as an automatic transmission, being
25 set as an object, performs a performance test of the object.
Also, as an object to be tested, a ship, an airplane, or the like that is mounted
with an internal combustion engine similarly to a vehicle, or a single body of the
internal combustion engine mounted in any of them is also possible.
As the diagram that schematically illustrates an alarm generation location in the
locational information window in the above-described first embodiment, a structure
diagram that schematically presents a mechanical configuration of a unit including one
or more analyzers may be used.
Also, the above-describe first embodiment is configured to indicate only a
generation location of a selected alarm with the mark in the locational information
window; however, the present invention may be adapted to, in the case where a plurality
of alarm generation locations is present in the same locational information window,
15 indicate all of them with marks, respectively.
Further, the above-described first embodiment is adapted to display the alarm
list display window and the locational information window as separately opened
windows, respectively; however, the present invention may be adapted to divide one
20 window into two screens, and collectively display an alarm list and locational
information in the one window.
The testing devices include, without limitation to the exhaust gas measuring
device, a device used to test a moving body such as a ship or an airplane, or to test a
25 component of the moving body, for example, an automatic driving apparatus such as a
20
dynamometer or a robot. The device management apparatus includes, besides an
apparatus directly managing testing devices, an apparatus indirectly managing them,
such as the automatic test management apparatus in the above-described first
embodiment.
In the following, a vehicle performance test system according to a second
embodiment is described referring to the drawings.
FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating the whole of the vehicle
performance test system 100 according to the second embodiment. The vehicle
performance test system 100 is, as illustrated in the diagram, one that is provided with a
chassis dynamometer 102, an automatic driving apparatus 103, an automatic test
management apparatus 105, a plurality of exhaust gas measuring devices 104, a device
management apparatus 106, and the like, and can bring a vehicle VHl into a
pseudo-running state on the chassis dynamometer 102 to test performance on a fuel
consumption, exhaust gas components, and the like of the vehicle VHl.
In the following, the respective parts are described. The chassis dynamometer
102 is one that is provided with: a single shaft rotating drum 121 ; a motor or a flywheel
(not illustrated) that applies a load to the rotating drum 12 1 ; and a dynamometer control
device 122 that controls them. The rotating drum 121 and the motor or flywheel are
placed in a pit that is located under a floor F of a test room 110, and a top part of the
rotating drum 121 is exposed from an opening provided in the floor F of the test room
110. The chassis dynamometer 102 is configured such that by setting the vehicle VHl
such that driving wheels of the vehicle VHl are in a test location located directly on the
top part of the rotating drum 121, the vehicle VHl can run in a state similar to that at the
time of an actual run. The dynamometer control device 122 is contained in, for
example, a measurement room that is provided adjacent to the test room 110. In
addition, the test room 110 and the measurement room (or in addition to them, the pit)
5 are collectively referred to as a so-called cell.
The automatic driving apparatus 103 is one that is provided with: a driving
robot (not illustrated) that is mounted in a driver's cab of the vehicle VHl and drives an
0 accelerator, brake, clutch, and the like; and a robot control device 13 1 that is connected
10 to the driving robot to control the driving robot, and adapted to be able to, by providing
various command signals to the robot control device 131, control the driving robot to
automatically run the vehicle VH1 in one or more running modes such as a 110 mode
and an LA mode. The robot control device 131 is contained in, for example, the
measurement room.
The automatic test management apparatus 105 is one that is, although detailed
description thereof is omitted, basically intended to set a running test schedule. Setting
the running test schedule includes, for example, in addition to setting a running mode
and a test date, and other settings, more minutely setting vehicle behavior such as a
20 vehicle speed and an engine rotational speed, and setting a measurement object,
measurement timing, and the like. The automatic test management apparatus 105 is
provided with a communication port, and mutually communicably connected with the
measuring devices 104, chassis dynamometer 102, automatic driving apparatus 103, and
the like by wire or wireless means.
Thus, when such schedule settings are made by an operator, the automatic test
management apparatus 105 appropriately transmits command signals to the chassis
dynamometer 102, automatic driving apparatus 103, device management apparatus 106,
and the like according to a set schedule to control them such that a test is performed
5 according to the schedule.
Note that in FIG. 8, the one automatic test management apparatus 105 is
connected with the one device management apparatus 106; however, the one automatic
l a test management apparatus 105 may be connected with a plurality of device
10 management apparatuses 106. The automatic test management apparatus 105 can
perform scheduling independently for each of the device management apparatuses 106.
The exhaust gas measuring devices 104 (hereinafter simply referred to as
measuring devices 104 as well) refer to devices used to measure exhaust gas, and
15 include, for example, in addition to a device that is configured to integrate one or more
gas analyzers as unit devices and measures exhaust gas components, a device that
performs preprocessing for measuring the exhaust gas components, like a fixed capacity
sampling device, as well.
In the second embodiment, a plurality of types of devices is used as the
measuring devices 104. For example, a first measuring device 141 that incorporates a
plurality of gas analyzers respectively having different measuring principles, a second
measuring device 142 that is a fixed capacity sampling device, a third measuring device
143 that is an EGR rate measuring device, a fourth measuring device 144 that is an
25 ultrasonic flowmeter, and the like are used. The gas analyzers include, for example,
FID for measuring THC, CLD for measuring NOx, NDIR for measuring CO and CO2,
and the like.
The respective measuring devices 104 are ones that are provided with sampling
5 tubes for sampling intake gas or exhaust gas from intake and exhaust paths of a vehicle
1 internal combustion engine, and measure amounts of the respective components
I
associated with gas sampled through the sampling tubes, such as HC, NOx, CO, and
COz, and from corresponding measured values, calculate performance values such as a
@ fuel consumption and an EGR rate of devices constituting the vehicle, such as the
10 internal combustion engine and a catalyst.
For this purpose, the respective measuring devices 104 incorporate local
computers in addition to sensors for measurement, and the local computers correct and
calibrate output values from the sensors to calculate the measured values indicating the
15 respective component amounts as well as fulfilling functions as: calculation parts that
calculate the device performance values from the measured values; and communication
parts that transmit the measured values, device performance values, and the like
calculated by the calculation parts to the device management apparatus 106 according to
predetermined protocols.
Also, each of the local computers is further provided with: a mode control part
that, upon receiving a command signal from the device management apparatus 106,
controls operating modes (such as a measurement mode, calibration mode, and purge
mode) and state modes (such as a sleep mode and a stand-by mode) of a corresponding
25 one of the exhaust gas measuring devices 104; a calibration part that calibrates sensors;
and a local accumulation part that accumulates pieces of device state information of the
measuring device 104 over a range from the past to the present, such as pump pressure
information indicating suction pressure by a built-in pump, sensitivity information that
is information on sensitivity of a sensor part, accumulated operating time information
5 that indicates accumulated operating times of respective parts, and inspection datahime
specifling information that is information for specifying a preset inspection dateltime of
the measuring device 104.
* Further, each of the measuring devices 104 incorporates various types of
10 sensors for monitoring an operating situation thereof, such as a pressure sensor and a
temperature sensor, and in the second embodiment, the sensors function as a situation
1 data obtaining part 401 that obtains pieces of situation data on the operating situation of
the measuring device 104, such as pressure data and temperature data.
15 The device management apparatus 106 is, for example, one that is configured
by installing a predetermined program in a general-purpose computer, and physically
provided with a CPU, memory, display 167, input means (such as a keyboard and a
mouse), communication interface, and the like. Also, the CPU and its peripheral a devices cooperate according a program stored in the memory, and thereby the device
20 management apparatus 106 is configured to fulfill functions as a
disengagementlengagement operation monitoring part, device mark display part, device
information obtaining part, and the like, as well as, in the second embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 9, fulfilling functions as a data receiving part 161, temporary data
storage part 162, trouble data recording part 163, data management part 164, criterion
25 parameter storage part 165, display part 166, input receiving part 168, and the like.
Further, the device management apparatus 106 is provided with a communication port,
and the measuring devices 104 are mutually communicably connected to the device
management apparatus 106 by wire or wireless means.
In the following, the respective parts of the device management apparatus 106
are described in detail.
I The data receiving part 161 is one that continuously obtains the pieces of
a situation data outputted from the various types of sensors such as the pressure and
10 temperature sensors, which function as the situation data obtaining part 401, at regular
time intervals in chronological order, and continuously writes the pieces of obtained
1 situation data in the temporary data storage part 162 that is set in a predetermined area
of the memory. Note that when capacity of the temporary data storage part 162 is full,
1 pieces of data are sequentially erased from oldest data, and pieces of new situation data
15 are written in spaces for the pieces of erased data.
The data management part 164 is one that determines whether or not contents
of the pieces of situation data stored in the temporary data storage part 162 respectively
'
meet corresponding predetermined conditions, and only in the case where any of the
20 contents meets a corresponding one of the predetermined conditions, as trouble data,
transfers a corresponding one of the pieces of situation data from the temporary data
storage part 162 to the trouble data recording part 163 provided in a predetermined area
of the memory.
To determine whether or not the predetermined conditions are met, criterion
26
parameters provided corresponding to the respective pieces of situation data are used.
The criterion parameters are preliminarily stored in the criterion parameter storage part
165 that is provided in a predetermined area of the memory. For example, in the case
of, at the time of exceeding a predetermined pressure value, desiring to store
5 corresponding situation data as the trouble data, the criterion parameters include the
predetermined pressure value.
The display part 166 is one that controls the display 167, and as illustrated in
FIGS. 10, 11, and 12, fulfills a monitoring screen display function (function as a
monitoring screen display part), a trouble list display function (function as a trouble list
10 display part), a locational information screen display function (function as a locational
information screen display part, and other functions. The monitoring screen display
function refers to a function of displaying a monitoring screen GI0 provided with an
alarm icon R1 that lights when the trouble data recording part 163 records trouble data.
I The trouble list display function is a function of displaying a trouble list display screen
15 GI1 that presents contents of pieces of trouble data, which have been transferred to the
trouble data recording part 163, in the form of a table that is demarcated for each of the
pieces of trouble data. The locational information screen display function refers to a
function of displaying a locational information screen G12 that schematically illustrates • a location where among the pieces of trouble data listed in the trouble list, trouble data
20 selected by the operator is obtained.
The input receiving part 168 is one that, by clicking the alarm icon R1
displayed on the monitoring screen GI0 illustrated in FIG. 10 with the mouse or the like,
receives a switch to the trouble list display screen G11. Also, the input receiving part
25 168 is one that by clicking with the mouse or the like, receives designation of any one of
the pieces of trouble data displayed in the trouble list Ll, and the display part 166 is
adapted to, according to the designation, display the locational information screen G12
that presents a flow path circuit diagram PI indicating a location where the designated
trouble data is obtained, and a way to handle trouble indicated by the trouble data.
Next, operation of the vehicle performance test system 100 having such a
configuration is described.
I ' e First, when the situation data obtaining part 401 including the pressure sensor,
10 temperature sensor, and the like outputs pieces of situation data such as pressure data
and temperature data, the data receiving part 161 continuously receives the pieces of
I situation data, and continuously writes the pieces of received situation data in the
I temporary data storage part 162.
Subsequently, on the basis of the criterion parameters obtained from the
criterion parameter storage part 165, the data management part 164 determines any of
contents of the pieces of situation data stored in the temporary data storage part 162
I meets a corresponding one of the predetermined conditions respectively corresponding
to the occurrence of troubles.
If it is determined that any of the contents of the pieces of situation data stored
in the temporary data storage part 162 meets a corresponding one of the predetermined
conditions respectively corresponding to the occurrence of the troubles, a corresponding
one of the pieces of situation data is transferred to the trouble data recording part 163 as
25 trouble data.
When the trouble data is transferred to the trouble data recording part 163, as
illustrated in FIG. 10, the alarm icon R1 provided in an upper part of the monitoring
screen GI0 lights.
Then, when the operator clicks the alarm icon R1 on the monitoring screen GI0
I
I with the mouse or the like, the display part 166 obtains pieces of trouble data from the
trouble data recording part 163. The display part 166 having obtained the pieces of
trouble data displays, as illustrated in FIG. 11, at least contents related to predetermined
I e items from among contents of the pieces of trouble data on the trouble list display
10 screen G11 as the trouble list L1 having the form of a table that is demarcated for each
trouble data. The items displayed in the trouble list L1 can be appropriately selected,
and include, for example, states of pressure, temperature, and the like, flow path
systems where troubles occur, analyzers where troubles occur, occurrence dates of the
I troubles, and occurrence times of the troubles, and the like. In addition, in the trouble
15 list L1, pieces of trouble data are displayed with being classified for each flow path
system.
I When the operator clicks and selects intended trouble data with the mouse or
1 . the like from the trouble list L1 displayed on the trouble list display screen G11, the
20 selected trouble data is highlighted, and also as illustrated in FIG. 12, the locational
information screen G12 is displayed in another window, on which the flow path circuit
I
diagram PI provided with a mark M1 that indicates a location where the selected
trouble data is obtained and an outline of corresponding trouble is displayed. On the
locational information screen G12, a way to handle the trouble is displayed together.
25 Then, when other trouble data is selected, as illustrated in FIG. 13, a new locational
information screen G13 is displayed.
According to the vehicle performance test system 100 according to the second
embodiment configured as described, because troubles having occurred are displayed on
5 the trouble list display screen G11 as a list, the whole picture of a trouble occurrence
situation can be overlooked, and also a location where selected trouble occurs is
illustrated in the flow path circuit diagram P1 displayed on the locational information
screen G12, so that the location where the trouble occurs can be easily visually
recognized. For this reason, a location where trouble occurs can be quickly grasped to
10 immediately resolve the trouble.
Also, only a selected trouble occurrence location is indicated by the mark M1
on the locational information screen G12, and therefore even in the case where another
trouble occurrence location is present on the locational information screen G12, it is
15 easy to specify the selected trouble occurrence location.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described second
I embodiment.
In the above-described second embodiment, in order to schematically illustrate,
on the locational information screen, a location where trouble data is obtained, the flow
path circuit diagram is used; however, as illustrated on a locational information screen
G14 of FIG. 14, the present invention may use, in place of the flow path circuit diagram,
a structure diagram S1 schematically presenting a mechanical configuration of a unit
25 including one or more analyzers.
Also, the above-described second embodiment is configured to, on the
locational information screen, indicate only a selected trouble occurrence location with
the mark; however, the present invention may be adapted to, in the case where a
5 plurality of trouble occurrence locations is present on the same locational information
screen, indicate all of the locations with marks.
Further, in the above-described second embodiment, the trouble list display
e screen and the locational information screen are respectively displayed in separately
10 opened windows; however, the present invention may be adapted to divide one window
into two screens to collectively display the trouble list display screen and the locational
information screen in the one window.
In addition, the present invention can be variously modified without departing
15 from the scope thereof.
Reference Signs List
1: Vehicle performance test system
20 4: Exhaust gas measuring device
5: Device management apparatus
53: Management main body part
55: Display part
10: Alarm icon
25 10a: Sensitivity alarm icon
lob: Accumulated operating time alarm icon
10c: Inspection dateltime alarm icon
VH1: Vehicle
100: Vehicle performance test system
5 104: Exhaust gas measuring device
401: Situation data obtaining part
106: Device management apparatus
163: Trouble data recording part
G11: Trouble list display screen
10 G 12: Locational information screen I

CLAIMS
WE CLAIM:
1. A test system (1) that is, with a moving body such as a vehicle, a ship, or an
5 airplane, or a device used for the moving body being set as an object, intended to
perform a test of the object, the test system (1) comprising:
one or more testing devices used for the test; and
a device management apparatus (5) that is communicably connected to the
testing devices to manage the testing devices, wherein
the device management apparatus (5) has a display part (55) that
obtains various types of information outputted fiom the testing devices, and erasably,
switchably, or movably displays the pieces of information on a display, wherein
regardless of the display of the pieces of information, the display part
preferentially displays three alarm icons that are respectively for three pieces of alarm
15 information including:
sensitivity alarm information indicating a reduction in sensitivity of
each of the testing devices;
accumulated operating time alarm information that is alarm
information on an accumulated operating time of the testing device; and
inspection dateltime alarm information that is information indicating
approaching or passing of an inspection dateltime of the testing device, and respectively
have forms that are changed depending on contents indicated by the respective pieces of
alarm information.
25 2. The test system as claimed in claim 1, configured such that
a single alarm icon display area that displays the three alarm icons as a set is
provided on the display, and when any of the testing devices is brought into an alarm
state, a form of a corresponding one of the alarm icons is changed.
5 3. The test system as claimed in claim 1, configured such that:
when any of the alarm icons is selected and operated, a switch to a list display
screen that provides a list display of alarms as a list with demarcating the alarms for
each occurrence location and for each content is made; and further, when one column
on the list display screen is designated and operated, a predetermined unit schematic
10 diagram including an generation location of an alarm is displayed, and in the schematic
diagram, the alarm generation location is displayed with the location being specified.
4. The test system as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the testing devices are measuring devices used to measure exhaust gas of an
15 internal combustion engine.
5. A device management apparatus (5) that is one communicably connected to
one or more testing devices for testing a moving body such as a vehicle, a ship, or an • airplane, or a device used for the moving body, the device management apparatus
20 having
a display part (55) that obtains various types of information outputted from the
testing devices, and erasably, switchably, or movably displays the pieces of information
on a display, wherein
regardless of the display of the pieces of information, the display part
25 preferentially displays three alarm icons (10) that are respectively for three pieces of
alarm information including:
sensitivity alarm information indicating a reduction in sensitivity of each of the
testing devices;
accumulated operating time alarm information that is alarm information on an
5 accumulated operating time of the testing device; and
inspection dateltime alarm information that is information indicating
approaching or passing of an inspection dateltime of the testing device, and respectively
have forms that are changed depending on contents indicated by the respective pieces of
alarm information.
6. A vehicle performance test system (100) comprising:
a measuring device that analyzes exhaust gas to measure performance of a
vehicle; and
a management apparatus that manages the measuring device, wherein the
15 management apparatus comprises:
a situation data obtaining part (401) that, as situation data,
successively obtains information on an operating situation of the measuring device;
a trouble data recording part (163) that in a case where content of the
obtained situation data meets a predetermined condition, records the situation data in a
20 memory as trouble data;
a trouble list display part that displays, among contents indicated by
pieces of trouble data recorded in the trouble data recording part, at least contents
related to a predetermined item on a screen in a form of a table that is demarcated so as
to be able to select each of pieces of trouble data; and
a locational information screen display part that displays a locational
information screen (G12) that illustrates a location where selected trouble data is
obtained.
7. The vehicle performance test system as claimed in claim 6, comprising a
monitoring screen display part that, on the screen, displays an alarm icon that lights
when the trouble data recording part records trouble data.