FR3154522A1 - Method and device for modeling vehicle components - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and device for modeling a vehicle component. To this end, a group (111) of first vehicles and a group (112) of second vehicles are selected. First data representing first speed profiles are obtained from the first vehicles in the group (111), and second data representing second speed profiles are obtained from the second vehicles in the group (112). One or more processes are applied to the first and second data to obtain speed profiles, the data of which are used for component modeling. Abstract: Figure 1

Description

Method and device for modeling vehicle components

The invention relates to methods and devices for modeling one or more vehicle components, in particular but not exclusively motor vehicles. The invention also relates to a method and device for processing vehicle data, in particular data representative of the speed and/or acceleration of the vehicles. The invention relates in particular to a method and device for calculating a mission profile from the data obtained from the vehicles.

Technological background

Modern vehicles are made up of a large number of components and organs that are susceptible to failure. To reduce the number of failures and correctly size these components and organs, it is important for vehicle manufacturers and their subcontractors to accurately understand the stresses and strains these components and organs are subjected to during vehicle use.

To do this, it is known to obtain data relating to the use of vehicles, for example vehicles being designed, according to mission profiles determined by carrying out driving in conditions determined according to the mission profiles, in particular on circuits, for example with prototypes of the vehicles.

The volume of data thus obtained is, however, not always sufficient to reflect all the conditions that the vehicles will encounter once they are marketed. In these conditions, the modeling and development of the components of such vehicles often proves to be imperfect, with risks of failure or premature aging of the components if the sizing of the components is insufficient.

To supplement the data that can be used for modelling vehicle components, it is also known to obtain data relating to the use of vehicles according to mission profiles determined from the manufacturer's customers, for example by sending these customers one or more questionnaires relating to the use of vehicles by the customers.

However, vehicles in circulation do not always correspond to vehicles under development, which limits the relevance of usage data obtained from such vehicles for modeling and developing components of new vehicles of a type different from the type of vehicles already on the market, for example.

Having a better understanding of vehicle usage in real-life conditions is an important issue for car manufacturers, for example to improve mission profile calculations to better size components based on their actual use by customers or to learn failure prediction models based on training data reflecting real-life vehicle usage.

Summary of the present invention

An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the technological background described above.

Another object of the present invention is, for example, to improve the relevance of vehicle usage data, in particular for the design and modeling of vehicle components or organs.

According to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for modeling a vehicle component, the method comprising the following steps:
- selection, from a set of first vehicles, of a group of first vehicles based on a set of first selection criteria;
- selection, from a set of second vehicles of a type different from a type of the first vehicles, of a group of second vehicles based on a set of second selection criteria comprising at least one second criterion representative of acceleration greater than a determined threshold;
- obtaining, for each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles, first data representative of a first speed profile as a function of time, the first speed profile being representative of a use of each first vehicle in a road environment;
- obtaining, for each second vehicle of the group of second vehicles, second data representative of a second speed profile as a function of time, the second speed profile being representative of the running of each second vehicle in a determined test environment;
- processing the first data as a function of at least one first parameter to obtain third data representative of a third speed profile for each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles and processing the second data as a function of at least one second parameter to obtain fourth data representative of at least one fourth speed profile associated with the group of second vehicles;
- generation of fifth data representative of at least a fifth speed profile associated with each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles based on the third data and the fourth data;
- modeling at least one component of a third vehicle based on the fifth data.

Obtaining first data representing speed profiles of first vehicles circulating in a road environment makes it possible to have data of vehicles circulating in real conditions, these vehicles having been selected according to specific needs defined through the first selection criteria. Obtaining second data representing speed profiles of second vehicles circulating in a test environment makes it possible to have data of vehicles of a particular type corresponding to specific needs, for example for the development or improvement of components of these (second) vehicles. The cross-referencing of these first and second data, after specific processing, makes it possible to generate vehicle speed profiles combining the real conditions of use of the first vehicles with the specificities of the second vehicles. This makes it possible in particular to increase the volume of data available for the development or modeling of components of the second vehicles, in particular when no vehicle of the type of the second vehicles circulates in real conditions.

The data thus obtained are, for example, used to establish various mission profile calculations necessary for the sizing of components or organs on board vehicles of a type different from those circulating in real conditions.

According to a variant, the at least one first parameter corresponds to a speed parameter depending on the set of second selection criteria.

According to another variant, the at least one first parameter corresponds to a determined maximum speed value, the third data being obtained by selecting the first data representative of a speed lower than the determined maximum value.

According to yet another variant, the at least one second parameter corresponds to a determined time duration value, the fourth data being obtained by selecting the second data representative of a part of the second speed profile associated with a time interval of duration equal to the determined time duration value and starting at a time instant associated with a zero speed of the second speed profile.

According to a further variant, the fifth data are obtained by replacing a part of the third speed profile associated with a time interval of duration equal to the determined time duration value and starting at a time instant associated with a zero speed of the third speed profile with the fourth speed profile.

According to another variant, the method further comprises a step of recording the fifth data in a data storage device.

According to another variant, the first vehicles correspond to thermal engine vehicles and the second vehicles correspond to electric engine vehicles.

According to a second aspect, the present invention relates to a vehicle component modeling device, the device comprising a memory associated with a processor configured to implement the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

According to a third aspect, the present invention relates to a computer program which comprises instructions adapted for executing the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention, in particular when the computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program may use any programming language, and may be in the form of source code, object code, or code intermediate between source code and object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

According to a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention.

On the one hand, the recording medium may be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may include a storage medium, such as a ROM memory, a CD-ROM or a microelectronic circuit type ROM memory, or a magnetic recording medium or a hard disk.

Furthermore, this recording medium may also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or terrestrial radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other means. The computer program according to the present invention may in particular be downloaded from a network such as the Internet.

Alternatively, the recording medium may be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to perform or to be used in performing the method in question.

Brief description of the figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description of the particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the present invention below, with reference to the appended figures 1 to 7, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an environment for processing and storing data obtained from vehicles, according to a particular exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a process for processing data obtained from at least some of the vehicles of the FIG. 1 , according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a speed profile obtained from a first vehicle of the FIG. 1 , according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a speed profile obtained by processing data representative of the speed profile of the FIG. 3 , according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a speed profile obtained by processing the speed profile data of the FIG. 4 based on speed profile data obtained from at least a second vehicle of the FIG. 1 , according to a first particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a device configured for processing data obtained from at least a portion of the vehicles of the FIG. 1 , according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different stages of a modeling process for a component of a vehicle of the FIG. 1 based on the speed profile data of the FIG. 5 , according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Description of examples of implementation

A method and device for modeling a vehicle component will now be described in the following with joint reference to Figures 1 to 7. The same elements are identified with the same reference signs throughout the description which follows.

The terms “first(s)”, “second(s)” (or “first(s)”, “second(s)”), etc. are used in this document by arbitrary convention to identify and distinguish different elements (such as operations, means, etc.) implemented in the embodiments described below. Such elements may be distinct or correspond to a single element, depending on the embodiment.

According to a particular and non-limiting example of embodiment of the present invention, the modeling of a vehicle component, for example to size a component during design, is for example implemented by a data processing device of the server or computer type connected in communication to one or more databases.

For this purpose, a group of first vehicles is selected from a set of first vehicles according to a set of first selection criteria. The group of first vehicles thus corresponds to a subset of the set of first vehicles meeting the set of first selection criteria.

A group of second vehicles is selected from a set of second vehicles based on a set of second selection criteria. The set of second selection criteria comprises one or more second criteria representing acceleration greater than a determined threshold (the threshold being for example equal to 2.5 or 3 ms ^-2 ), which makes it possible to select the second vehicles from the set of second vehicles having accelerations greater than the determined threshold. The group of second vehicles thus corresponds to a subset of the set of second vehicles meeting the set of second selection criteria. The type of the first vehicles is different from the type of the second vehicles, the first vehicles corresponding for example to vehicles with a thermal engine and the second vehicles corresponding for example to vehicles with an electric motor(s).

First data are obtained for each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles, for example from a first database. These first data represent a first speed profile as a function of time associated with each first vehicle of the group, the speed profile being representative of a use of each first vehicle in a road environment, that is to say a use in real conditions of use of the first vehicle.

Second data are obtained for each second vehicle in the group of second vehicles, for example from a second database. These second data represent a second speed profile as a function of time associated with each second vehicle in the group, the speed profile being representative of driving each second vehicle in a test environment (for example a circuit), that is to say of use in controlled conditions for the purposes of testing or verifying the behavior of the vehicle.

One or more processing operations are applied to the first data as a function of one or more first parameters (for example, thresholding) to obtain third data representative of a third speed profile for each first vehicle in the group of first vehicles. The third speed profile thus corresponds to the first speed profile after processing. In the same way, one or more processing operations are applied to the second data as a function of one or more second parameters (for example, filtering or selection of a part of the second speed profile) to obtain fourth data representative of a fourth speed profile for each second vehicle in the group of second vehicles or for the entire group of second vehicles.

Fifth data representative of at least a fifth speed profile associated with each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles are generated based on the third data and the fourth data.

Finally, the fifth data is used for modeling one or more components intended to be embedded in a third vehicle, for example during a design or validation phase of the third vehicle.

Such a method makes it possible to increase the volume of data available for establishing mission profiles and/or for designing vehicle components from vehicles of a type different from the vehicle carrying the component(s).

There FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an environment and a system for processing and storing vehicle data, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

There FIG. 1 illustrates a first set 11 of first vehicles and a second set 12 of second vehicles. A first database 101 is associated with the first set 11 of first vehicles and a second database 102 is associated with the second set 12 of first vehicles. According to an alternative embodiment, the first database and the second database correspond to a single data storage device.

The first vehicles in set 11 correspond to vehicles marketed and circulating in different road environments, depending on the uses made of them by their owners. The first vehicles are of one or more first types, for example, combustion engine vehicles of different categories (e.g., sedan, SUV, city car, etc.) with different levels of equipment.

The second vehicles of the set 12 correspond, for example, to test vehicles. The second vehicles are, for example, of a second type different from the first type(s) of the first vehicles. The second vehicles correspond, for example, to vehicles used for testing purposes, for example during design phases of these vehicles or to verify the behavior of vehicles marketed in a test environment with determined conditions. According to a particular example, the second vehicles correspond to electric motor vehicles (for example, 100% electric vehicles, i.e., vehicles having only an electric motor or hybrid vehicles having a thermal engine and one or more electric motors) of different categories (for example, sedan, SUV, city car, etc.) with different levels of equipment.

The databases 101, 102 are configured to record and store data relating to the first vehicles and the second vehicles, respectively.

Data from the first vehicles are collected, for example, by asking the owners of the first vehicles to respond to questionnaires, with the responses to the questionnaires being entered into the first database 101.

According to an alternative embodiment, the data are obtained (for example in addition to the responses to the questionnaires or instead of the responses to the questionnaires) from the first vehicles when the latter correspond to connected vehicles. A connected vehicle corresponds to a vehicle carrying a wireless communication system or interface (for example a telematics control unit, or TCU (from the English “Telematic Control Unit”) associated with one or more antennas). According to this alternative, each first connected vehicle sends usage data from the first vehicle, for example measured by on-board sensors, to the first database 101 via a wireless network infrastructure (not shown in the FIG. 1 ) connecting the first connected vehicles to the first database 101, for example via the “cloud”. The data thus collected are transmitted by each first connected vehicle upon receipt of requests received from a “cloud” server and/or are transmitted at regular intervals, on the basis of a list of usage parameters of a determined list (for example stored in a memory of each first connected vehicle).

The communication system of a connected vehicle comprises, for example, one or more communication antennas connected to a telematics control unit, known as a TCU (Telematic Control Unit), itself connected to one or more computers of the on-board system of the connected vehicle. The antenna(s), the TCU and the computer(s) form, for example, a multiplexed architecture for the provision of various services useful for the proper functioning of the connected vehicle and for assisting the driver and/or passengers of the connected vehicle in controlling the connected vehicle and/or for establishing a diagnosis on the functioning of one or more components of the connected vehicle. The computer(s) and the TCU communicate and exchange data with each other via one or more computer buses, for example a communication bus of the CAN (Controller Area Network), CAN FD (Controller Area Network Flexible Data-Rate), FlexRay (according to the ISO 17458 standard) or Ethernet (according to the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard) data bus type.

The data from the second vehicles are, for example, collected from measuring instruments on board the second vehicles during driving tests carried out with one or more second vehicles (for example, a prototype of a second vehicle during a design phase of the second vehicle). The driving data are, for example, collected via a wireless link from the measuring instruments, or by connecting the measuring instruments to a server or computer via a wired link once the tests are completed, the data being, for example, stored in a memory of the measuring instruments.

A process for communicating and/or processing vehicle data, particular embodiments of which are described with respect to the FIG. 2 , is advantageously implemented by a data processing device 100 such as a computer or a server.

The data processing device 100 is connected in wireless or wired communication to one or more data storage devices such as the first 101 and second 102 databases. According to a variant, the data processing device 100 integrates the database(s) storing the data to be processed in the form of one or more memories.

In an operation 211 of the process, a group 111 of first vehicles is selected from the set 11 of first vehicles (which set 11 comprises more first vehicles than the group 111) according to a set of first selection criteria 201 determined according to needs expressed for example within the framework of a mission profile project for the design or modeling of components or organs of a new vehicle to be developed (called third vehicle).

The set 11 of first vehicles groups together first vehicles identified in the database 101, for example a database identifying the customers of a car manufacturer.

Each vehicle in the set is identified by a unique identifier, for example the VIN number (Vehicle Identifier Number) or any other identifier. The database includes, for example, a set of characteristics associated with each vehicle and linked to each vehicle via its identifier, the characteristics being stored, for example, in one or more look-up tables, called LUTs (Look-Up tables).

The characteristics associated with each vehicle in the set include, for example, the vehicle model, the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine power, the vehicle mass, the power-to-weight ratio, the first registration date, the equipment level, the vehicle type (utility, van, car, estate, sedan, SUV, city car, etc.), the vehicle size, the ADAS (Advanced Driver-Assistance System) functions and/or systems fitted to the vehicle, etc.

The set of initial selection criteria is, for example, determined based on the population of vehicles on which a study or analysis is to be carried out, for example a study relating to the actual use of vehicles in the field.

The set of first criteria advantageously includes at least one vehicle characteristic listed previously, for example the size of the vehicle (for example a city car or an SUV) or the engine of the vehicle, depending on the needs of a study or analysis to be carried out as part of the development of a new vehicle for example.

First data 212 representative of one or more first speed profiles as a function of time are obtained for each first vehicle of the group 11, these first data being for example obtained or received by the device 100 from the first database following a request sent by the device 100 comprising the identifiers of the first vehicles of the group 11.

Each first speed profile is representative of the use of each first vehicle in a road environment, under conditions of actual use of the first vehicle by a driver.

There FIG. 3 illustrates a particular example of a first speed profile 3, which is represented by a curve 31 showing the variations in speed 'V' (on the ordinate, expressed in m/s or km/h) of a first vehicle as a function of time 't' (on the abscissa, expressed in seconds for example) over a given time interval.

A set of first speed profiles 212 is thus obtained by the device 100, the first data representative of the first speed profiles of the set being for example temporarily stored in the memory of the device 100.

In an operation 221 of the process (which is for example implemented in parallel with the operation 211 described previously), a group 112 of second vehicles is selected from the set 12 of second vehicles (which set 12 comprises more second vehicles than the group 112) according to a set of second selection criteria 202 determined according to needs expressed for example within the framework of a mission profile project for the design or modeling of components or organs of a new vehicle to be developed (called third vehicle).

The set 12 of second vehicles groups together second vehicles identified in the database 102, for example a database identifying vehicles which have been subject to driving tests on a circuit or a track for example.

The characteristics associated with each second vehicle in the set include, for example, the vehicle model, the vehicle engine, the vehicle engine power, the vehicle mass, the power-to-weight ratio, the equipment level, the vehicle type (utility, van, car, estate, sedan, SUV, city car, etc.), the vehicle size, etc.

The set of second selection criteria is, for example, determined based on the population of vehicles on which a study or analysis is to be carried out, for example a study relating to electric vehicles of a particular type.

The set of second criteria advantageously comprises at least one criterion representing an acceleration greater than a threshold for selecting second vehicles having speed profiles with accelerations greater than this threshold. The set of second criteria further comprises, for example, one or more other criteria such as the size of the vehicle (for example a city car or an SUV) identical to the size of the vehicle used in the selection of the first vehicles of group 111.

After selecting the first and second vehicles, a group 111 of first vehicles of a different type from the second vehicles of group 112 is obtained, but with characteristics such as the size for example which remain comparable. For example, the first vehicles of group 111 correspond to automobiles whose size is that of a city car (“small vehicle”) with a thermal engine while the second vehicles of group 112 also correspond to automobiles whose size is that of a city car (“small vehicle”) but with an electric engine. The vehicles of group 111 and group 112 thus remain comparable in terms of use for example while having a different type (the type of engine according to this example).

Second data 222 representative of one or more second speed profiles as a function of time are obtained for each second vehicle of the group 12, these second data being for example obtained or received by the device 100 from the second database 102 following a request sent by the device 100 comprising the identifiers of the second vehicles of the group 12.

Each second speed profile is representative of the use of each second vehicle in a specific test environment such as a track or circuit, the driving conditions being controlled unlike the conditions of use in a public road environment.

A set of second speed profiles 222 is thus for example obtained by the device 100, the second data representative of the second speed profiles of the set being for example temporarily stored in the memory of the device 100.

In an operation 213 of the process, one or more treatments are applied to the first data 212 obtained in operation 211, this or these treatments being a function of one or more first parameters.

According to a particular example, a first parameter corresponds to a speed parameter obtained from the specification of the needs from which the second selection criteria are derived.

For example, the first parameter corresponds to a determined maximum speed value, noted Vmax, and the processing applied to the first data corresponds to a thresholding or a filtering of the speeds of each first speed profile which are greater than Vmax to keep only the speeds lower than this maximum speed Vmax.

The processing applied to the first data representative of a first speed profile makes it possible to obtain third data representative of a third speed profile.

There FIG. 4 illustrates a particular example of a third speed profile 4, which is represented by a curve 41 showing the variations in speed 'V' (on the ordinate, expressed in m/s or km/h) of a first vehicle as a function of time 't' (on the abscissa, expressed in seconds for example) over a given time interval.

This third speed profile 4 corresponds to the result of the processing applied to the first speed profile 3 of the FIG. 3 corresponding to a filtering of the speeds of the first speed profile 3 greater than Vmax (for example equal to 45, 50 or 80 km/h).

The third speed profile 4 corresponds to the first speed profile 3 clipped or thresholded according to Vmax.

In an operation 223 of the process (which is for example implemented in parallel with the operation 213 described previously), one or more treatments are applied to the second data 222 obtained in the operation 221, this or these treatments being a function of one or more second parameters.

For example, the second parameter corresponds to a fixed time duration value used to select a part or parts of each second velocity profile when processing the second data.

A processing carried out on the second data corresponds, according to this example, to a filtering of a part of the second data to select only the second data representative of a speed profile over a time period or time window of duration equal to the determined time duration. The filtering is for example implemented so as to select each part of each second speed profile starting at a time instant associated with a zero speed of the second speed profile (for example when the second vehicle starts) over a duration equal to the determined time duration.

Such filtering makes it possible to select a speed profile when starting a second vehicle. This allows, for example, when the second vehicle corresponds to an electric vehicle, to collect data relating to the acceleration of the second vehicle at start-up, which is generally greater than the acceleration of a vehicle with a thermal engine starting from zero speed (starting or restarting after a stop).

The determined time duration corresponds, for example, to an adjustable parameter of the system implementing the invention. The determined time duration is, for example, equal to 2 seconds. According to other examples, the determined time duration is equal to 1, 3, 4, 5 or 10 seconds.

The processing of the second data makes it possible to obtain for each second speed profile fourth data representative of a fourth speed profile associated with the second vehicle.

According to an alternative embodiment, an additional processing is implemented corresponding for example to an average of the fourth data obtained previously for each second speed profile. According to this alternative, a single fourth speed profile is obtained by averaging all of the fourth speed profiles, which makes it possible to have a single acceleration profile for the group of second vehicles.

In an operation 214 of the process, fifth data representative of at least a fifth speed profile associated with each first vehicle of the group 111 of first vehicles are generated based on the third data and the fourth data obtained in operations 213 and 223 respectively.

The fifth data are obtained by replacing a part of the third speed profile associated with a time interval of duration equal to the determined time duration value and starting at a time instant associated with a zero speed of the third speed profile by the part of the second speed profile corresponding to the fourth speed profile.

There FIG. 5 illustrates a particular example of a fifth speed profile 5, which is represented by a curve 51 showing the variations in the speed 'V' (on the ordinate, expressed in m/s or in km/h) of a vehicle as a function of time 't' (on the abscissa, expressed in seconds for example) over a given time interval.

The fifth speed profile 5 is obtained from the third speed profile 3 by replacing in this third speed profile the part(s) starting with a speed of zero or close to 0 with a fourth speed profile obtained in operation 223.

These parts 501, 502 are identified on the FIG. 5 by lines of greater thickness than the line representing curve 51 from curve 41 representing the third speed profile.

This processing makes it possible, for example, to obtain for each third speed profile 4 (obtained from a first speed profile 3), one or more fifth speed profiles 5 by replacing the starting phases (starting from zero speed or close to 0) with a part obtained from a second vehicle and representative of an acceleration greater than the acceleration associated with the replaced part of the third speed profile 4 (before replacement).

Where a third speed profile includes a phase with speed values close to 0 km/h (or remaining below a threshold, e.g. below 3 or 5 km/h for a set duration (e.g. for at least 1, 2 or 3 seconds) before going above the threshold) before increasing, then that part of the third speed profile is replaced by a curve part with a speed at 0 km/h followed by the fourth part representing the acceleration at start-up of the second vehicles, as illustrated in Part 502.

This makes it possible to obtain one or more speed profiles obtained, for example, from first vehicles with thermal engines (with lower acceleration on start-up) in real conditions of use with start-up phases representative of other vehicles, for example second vehicles with electric engines (with higher acceleration on start-up) obtained during driving tests on a circuit, for example.

For example, it is possible to obtain for each first speed profile obtained from each first vehicle one or more fifth speed profiles:
- a single fifth speed profile is for example obtained for each first speed profile by replacing in the third speed profile (obtained by processing the first speed profile) the fourth speed profile corresponding to the average of all the fourth speed profiles obtained in operation 223; or
- a plurality of fifth speed profiles are for example obtained for each first speed profile by using several fourth speed profiles to generate as many fifth speed profiles by replacing in the third speed profile (obtained by processing the first speed profile) the start phase with a start phase of each fourth speed profile.

Since the database 101 comprises more data than the database 102, such a process makes it possible to generate a greater number of speed profiles than what is possible to obtain during driving tests on a circuit, for example. Furthermore, since the data in the database 101 are representative of real conditions of use, the use of the data in the database 101 combined with those in the database 102 makes it possible to obtain speed profiles representative of the second vehicles even if the first vehicles are of a different type.

The fifth data thus obtained are for example recorded or stored in a data storage device, for example a database or a memory of the data processing device 100.

In an operation 215 of the process, the fifth data is used for modeling or designing one or more components of a third vehicle.

The third vehicle corresponds, for example, to a vehicle under development of a type similar to that of the second vehicles (for example, with an electric motor) with intrinsic characteristics used to select the group 111 of first vehicles and the group 112 of second vehicles. In other words, at least part of the intrinsic characteristics (for example, the size) of the third vehicle are used to define part of the first selection criteria and the second selection criteria.

The fifth data are for example used in models simulating the use of the component(s) to test by simulation a life cycle of each component and verify that the component behaves or ages in accordance with the specifications associated with each component.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the fifth data are used for the dimensioning and development of vehicle components, systems or parts, more particularly for carrying out mission profile calculations necessary for the dimensioning of the components.

There FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a device 6 configured for data processing and/or for modeling or designing vehicle component(s), according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device 6 corresponds for example to a computing device or a data processing device such as the device 100, for example a computer or a server.

The device 6 is for example configured for the implementation of the operations described with regard to figures 1 to 5 and/or the steps of the method described with regard to the FIG. 7 . Examples of such a device 6 include, but are not limited to, a computer, a laptop, a server, a smartphone, a tablet. The elements of the device 6, individually or in combination, may be integrated into a single integrated circuit, into several integrated circuits, and/or into discrete components. The device 6 may be implemented in the form of electronic circuits or software (or computer) modules or a combination of electronic circuits and software modules.

The device 6 comprises one (or more) processor(s) 60 configured to execute instructions for carrying out the steps of the method and/or for executing the instructions of the software(s) embedded in the device 6. The processor 60 may include integrated memory, an input/output interface, and various circuits known to those skilled in the art. The device 6 further comprises at least one memory 61 corresponding for example to a volatile and/or non-volatile memory and/or comprises a memory storage device which may comprise volatile and/or non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM, ROM, PROM, RAM, DRAM, SRAM, flash, magnetic or optical disk.

The computer code of the embedded software(s) including the instructions to be loaded and executed by the processor is for example stored in memory 61.

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 6 comprises a block 62 of interface elements for communicating with external devices such as connected vehicles and/or measuring devices. The interface elements of the block 62 comprise one or more of the following interfaces:
- RF radio frequency interface, for example Wi-Fi® type (according to IEEE 802.11), for example in the 2.4 or 5 GHz frequency bands, or Bluetooth® type (according to IEEE 802.15.1), in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, or Sigfox type using UBN (Ultra Narrow Band) radio technology, or LoRa in the 868 MHz frequency band, LTE (Long-Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced;
- USB interface (from the English “Universal Serial Bus” or “Universal Serial Bus” in French);
- HDMI interface (from the English “High Definition Multimedia Interface” or “High Definition Multimedia Interface” in French);
- LIN interface (from the English “Local Interconnect Network”).

According to another particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 6 comprises a communication interface 63 which makes it possible to establish communication with other devices (such as other servers, databases) via a communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds for example to a transmitter configured to transmit and receive information and/or data via the communication channel 630. The communication interface 63 corresponds for example to a wired network of the Ethernet type (standardized by the ISO/IEC 802-3 standard).

According to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the device 6 can provide output signals to one or more external devices, such as a display screen 640, touch-sensitive or not, one or more speakers 650 and/or other peripherals 660 (projection system) via output interfaces 64, 65 and 66 respectively. According to a variant, one or other of the external devices is integrated into the device 6.

There FIG. 7 illustrates a flowchart of the different steps of a vehicle component modeling method, according to a particular and non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method is for example implemented by a computing device or a data processing device such as the device 100, for example a computer or a server, or by the device 6 of the FIG. 6 .

In a first step 71, a group of first vehicles is selected from a set of first vehicles based on a set of first selection criteria.

In a second step 72, a group of second vehicles is selected from a set of second vehicles of a type different from a type of the first vehicles according to a set of second selection criteria comprising at least one second criterion representative of acceleration greater than a determined threshold.

In a third step 73, first data representative of a first speed profile as a function of time are obtained for each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles, the first speed profile being representative of a use of each first vehicle in a road environment.

In a fourth step 74, second data representative of a second speed profile as a function of time are obtained for each second vehicle of the group of second vehicles, the second speed profile being representative of a running of each second vehicle in a determined test environment.

In a fifth step 75, the first data are processed according to at least one first parameter to obtain third data representative of a third speed profile for each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles and the second data are processed according to at least one second parameter to obtain fourth data representative of at least one fourth speed profile associated with the group of second vehicles.

In a sixth step 76, fifth data representative of at least a fifth speed profile associated with each first vehicle of the group of first vehicles are generated as a function of the third data and the fourth data.

In a seventh step 77, at least one component of a third vehicle is modeled based on the fifth data.

According to a variant, the variants and examples of the operations described in relation to one of the figures 1 to 5 apply to the steps of the method of the FIG. 7 .

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above but extends to a method for learning a model for predicting the life cycle or failure of a vehicle component based on the fifth data without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention. The same would apply to a device configured for implementing such a method.

The present invention also relates to a system comprising the device 6 of the FIG. 6 connected wirelessly to a group of 111 connected vehicles.

Claims (10)

A method of modeling a vehicle component, said method comprising the following steps:
- selection (71), from a set (11) of first vehicles, of a group (111) of first vehicles based on a set of first selection criteria;
- selection (72), in a set (12) of second vehicles of a type different from a type of the first vehicles, of a group (112) of second vehicles as a function of a set of second selection criteria comprising at least one second criterion representative of acceleration greater than a determined threshold;
- obtaining (73), for each first vehicle of said group (111) of first vehicles, first data representative of a first speed profile (3) as a function of time, said first speed profile (3) being representative of a use of said each first vehicle in a road environment;
- obtaining (74), for each second vehicle of said group (112) of second vehicles, second data representative of a second speed profile as a function of time, said second speed profile being representative of a rolling of said each second vehicle in a determined test environment;
- processing (75) of said first data as a function of at least one first parameter to obtain third data representative of a third speed profile (4) for each first vehicle of said group (111) of first vehicles and processing (75) of said second data as a function of at least one second parameter to obtain fourth data representative of at least one fourth speed profile associated with said group (112) of second vehicles;
- generation (76) of fifth data representative of at least a fifth speed profile (5) associated with each first vehicle of said group (111) of first vehicles as a function of the third data and the fourth data;
- modeling (77) of at least one component of a third vehicle as a function of said fifth data. Method according to claim 1, for which said at least one first parameter corresponds to a speed parameter depending on said set of second selection criteria. Method according to claim 2, for which said at least one first parameter corresponds to a determined maximum speed value, the third data being obtained by selecting the first data representative of a speed lower than said determined maximum value. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, for which said at least one second parameter corresponds to a determined time duration value, the fourth data being obtained by selecting the second data representative of a part of said second speed profile associated with a time interval of duration equal to said determined time duration value and starting at a time instant associated with a zero speed of said second speed profile. Method according to claim 4, for which said fifth data are obtained by replacing a part of said third speed profile (4) associated with a time interval of duration equal to said determined time duration value and starting at a time instant associated with a zero speed of said third speed profile (4) by said fourth speed profile. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a step of recording said fifth data in a data storage device. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, for which said first vehicles correspond to vehicles with thermal engines and said second vehicles correspond to vehicles with electric engines. Computer program comprising instructions for implementing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, when these instructions are executed by a processor. Computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a computer program comprising instructions for carrying out the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 7. Device (6) for modeling a vehicle component, said device (6) comprising a memory (61) associated with at least one processor (60) configured for implementing the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.