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DE-102025117350-B3 - Testing system and procedure for the automated validation of touch-sensitive control elements in motor vehicles

DE102025117350B3DE 102025117350 B3DE102025117350 B3DE 102025117350B3DE-102025117350-B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a testing system for the automated validation of touch-sensitive controls of an input unit in motor vehicles. The system comprises a tool unit for controlling at least one test finger and a camera system for optically capturing the controls. A control unit is configured to compare the position value of the test finger with the bus data of the input unit's data bus while the controls are being actuated by the test finger. Based on this comparison, the control unit adjusts the test parameters.

Inventors

  • Stefan Reisinger
  • Martin Heller

Assignees

  • BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20250506

Claims (10)

  1. Test system (100) for the automated validation of an input unit (132) with touch-sensitive controls (130, 131) in motor vehicles, comprising: - a tool unit (110) for controlling at least one test finger (112); - a camera system (120) for optically detecting the controls (130, 131); - a control unit (140) of the test system (100), which is configured to perform a comparison between a position value of the test finger (112) and bus data of a data bus of the input unit (132) during actuation of the controls (130, 131) by the at least one test finger (112); and wherein: - the control unit (140) is configured to adjust the test parameters based on the comparison.
  2. Test system (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein the test system (100) has a tool changing unit (150) which allows the at least one test finger (112) to be exchanged for at least one second test finger to simulate different finger states.
  3. Test system (100) according to Claim 1 or 2 , wherein the test system (100) includes a climate chamber (160) for simulating various environmental conditions of the input unit (132).
  4. Test system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the test system (100) comprises at least one EMC antenna unit (170) which is configured to generate electromagnetic fields acting on the input unit (132).
  5. Test system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (140) is configured to perform a positioning of the at least one test finger (112) on the control elements (130) based on optical detection and/or a mechanical zero point determination.
  6. Test system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one test finger (112) is heatable, wettable with fluids and/or dryable.
  7. Test system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the test system (100) comprises a device (180) for automatically soiling and/or cleaning the operating elements (130).
  8. Method for the automated safeguarding of an input unit (132) with touch-sensitive controls (130) in motor vehicles by means of a test system (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 , comprising the steps: a. Optical detection (S210) of a control element (130) using the camera system (120); b. Positioning (S220) of a test finger (112) on a control element (130); c. Actuation (S230) of the control element (130) by the test finger (112); d. Comparison (S240) between position values of the test finger (112) and bus data of the data bus of the input unit (132) during actuation; e. Adjustment (S250) of the test parameters based on the comparison;
  9. Computer program product with program code stored on a computer-readable data carrier for carrying out the procedure according to Claim 8 , when the program is run on a computer.
  10. Use of a test system (100) according to one of the Claims 1 until 7 for the automated safeguarding of touch-sensitive control elements (130) in motor vehicles.

Description

The invention relates to a testing system and a method for the automated validation of touch-sensitive control elements in motor vehicles. In particular, the invention relates to a system and a method that enables precise and reproducible testing of input units under various environmental conditions. Modern vehicles are increasingly equipped with touch-sensitive controls that enable intuitive interaction between driver and vehicle. These controls, often in the form of touchscreens or capacitive touch surfaces, must function reliably under a wide variety of conditions. Ensuring the reliability of these components presents a particular challenge, as many factors such as ambient temperature, humidity, electromagnetic interference, and contamination can affect their functionality. Conventional testing procedures for various environmental conditions are often based on empirical tests, in which a tester manually operates the controls and notes their subjective impressions. However, this method is neither precise nor reproducible. Automated systems previously used for such tests are often expensive, inflexible, and unable to comprehensively account for the various influencing factors affecting touch-sensitive controls. Therefore, there is a need for a testing system and a procedure that enables precise and reproducible validation of touch-sensitive controls in motor vehicles under various environmental conditions. The object of the invention is therefore to provide such a testing system. The problem is solved by a testing system and a method according to the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. According to a first aspect of the invention, a test system for the automated verification of an input unit with touch-sensitive controls in motor vehicles is provided. The system comprises a tool unit for controlling at least one test finger and a camera system for optically detecting the controls. A control unit of the test system is configured to perform a comparison between a position value of the test finger and bus data of a data bus of the input unit during actuation of the controls by the at least one test finger, particularly in real time. Based on this comparison, the control unit is configured to adjust the test parameters. In an advantageous embodiment, the testing system includes a tool-changing unit that allows the at least one test finger to be exchanged for at least one second test finger. This enables the simulation of different finger states and different operating modes. The test system can also include a climate chamber to simulate various environmental conditions of the input unit. This allows the effects of temperature and humidity on the functionality of the controls to be investigated. In another embodiment, the test system includes at least one EMC antenna unit configured to generate electromagnetic fields acting on the input unit. This enables the investigation of the control elements' immunity to electromagnetic interference. The control unit can be configured to position at least one test finger on the controls based on optical detection and/or mechanical zero-point determination. This ensures precise and reproducible positioning of the test finger. At least one test finger can be heated, wettable with fluids and/or dryable to simulate different environmental and usage conditions. The test system may include a device for automatically soiling and/or cleaning the controls in order to investigate the influence of soiling on functionality. The control unit can be configured to process a sequence of events that defines the communication between the climate chamber, CNC portal, EMC antenna unit, and/or the automotive component under test. This enables a reproducible test run and flexible configuration of the test system. In another embodiment, the control unit includes a pattern recognition system that is configured to evaluate test data and, based on this, to make automatic changes to the schedule. According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for the automated validation of an input unit with touch-sensitive controls in motor vehicles is provided by means of a test system according to one of the preceding claims. The method comprises the steps of optically detecting the controls using the camera system, positioning a test finger on a control element, actuating the control element with the test finger, comparing the position values of the test finger and bus data of the input unit's data bus during actuation, adjusting the test parameters based on the comparison, and repeating these steps with varied test parameters. The method can include further steps, such as mechanical zero point determination, changing the test finger, altering the environmental conditions in a climate chamber, changing the electromagnetic fields by means of an EMC antenna unit, automatically soiling and/or cleaning the controls between test cycles, and continuously cha