Method and test object for carrying out a test run with a test object

Abstract

To subject a test object during a test run on a test bench to real environmental and/or surrounding conditions, particularly thermal conditions, it is provided that at least one temperature is measured at a measurement point as a measured variable during the test run on the test bench. At least one test object component of the test object is subdivided in a number of segments. The thermal interaction of at least one segment with the environment of the vehicle is simulated during the test run by a thermal simulation model of the simulation model. The thermal simulation model calculates the segment heat flow that is supplied to or dissipated from the at least one segment. This segment heat flow is adjusted as a function of the measured temperature at the test bench on at least one segment by means of a number of heat flow actuators.

Claims

1. A method for carrying out a test run on a test bench, wherein a test object in form of the vehicle or a component of the vehicle is physically set up and operated on the test bench, and a simulation unit having a simulation model simulates the test run, wherein at least one temperature is measured at a measurement point on the test object as a measured variable during the test run on the test bench, and at least one test object component of the test object is subdivided into a number of segments, that during the test run, the thermal interaction of at least one segment with the environment of the vehicle is simulated by means of a thermal simulation model of the simulation model, in that the thermal simulation model calculates the segment heat flow that is supplied to or dissipated from the at least one segment and that said segment heat flow is adjusted on the at least one segment as a function of the measured temperature by means of a number of heat flow actuators that subject the test object to a heat flow.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the simulation model additionally includes one or a plurality of the following models: vehicle model, driver model, road or route model, wheel model, environmental model.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein additionally at least one further measurement variable of the test object is detected and processed in the simulation model.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein additionally at least one further measurement variable of the test object environment of the test object is detected and processed in the simulation model.

5. A test bench for carrying out a test run, wherein a test object in form of a vehicle or a component of a vehicle is physically set up on the test bench, and wherein a simulation unit having a simulation model, simulates the test run, wherein on the test bench at least one measurement unit is provided on the test object that detects a temperature on the test bench as a measured variable, that a thermal simulation model is implemented in the simulation unit that simulates, during the test run, the thermal interaction of at least one segment of a test object component of the test object with the environment of the vehicle, in that the thermal simulation model calculates the segment heat flow that is supplied to or dissipated from the at least one segment, and that at least one heat flow actuator is provided on the test bench that subjects the test object to heat flow, and, furthermore, a heat flow controller is provided that controls the heat flow of the at least one heat flow actuator to thereby adjust the segment heat flow at the at least one segment as a function of the measured temperature.

6. The test bench according to claim 5, wherein one or a plurality of the following models are implemented in addition in the simulation model: vehicle model, driver model, road or route model, wheel model, environmental model.

7. The test bench according to claim 5, wherein at least one further measurement unit is provided on the test bench that detects a further measured variable of the test object, which is processed by the simulation model.

8. The test bench according to claim 5, wherein at least one further measurement unit is provided on the test bench that detects a further measured variable of the environment of the test object, which is processed by the simulation model.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present teaching that is the subject-matter of the present specification will be described in further detail below in reference to FIGS. 1 to 6, which are exemplary in nature, schematic and not limited to the described advantageous embodiments according to the present teaching. Shown are as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a roller test bench for a vehicle according to the prior art;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a roller test bench according to the present teaching;

(4) FIG. 3 shows an engine test bench according to the present teaching;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the control of the heat flows on segments of a test object according to the present teaching;

(6) FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a simulation unit; and

(7) FIG. 6 shows the information flow in the implementation of the method according to the present teaching for operating a test bench.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(8) FIG. 1 depicts a conventional test bench 1 for a test object 2. In the shown embodiment, the test object 2 is a motor vehicle, and the test bench 1 is a roller test bench. It is understood that the test object 2 can also be any partial system of the motor vehicle, such as, for example, a drivetrain, a combustion engine, a drive battery (power pack), a turbocharger, a catalytic converter, etc., and the test bench 1 can be any matching test bench, such as, for example, a drivetrain test bench, an engine test bench, a power pack test bench, a turbocharger test bench, a catalytic converter test bench, etc.

(9) A test bench automation is provided on the test bench 1 that takes the form of a test bench automation unit 3, which controls the virtual test run that is to be executed on the test bench (=test run) and actuates, accordingly, all the devices of the test bench 1 that are necessary to this end (i.e., particularly the actuators) according to the requirements of the test run. The test bench automation unit 3 can, particularly, also actuate the test object 2. If the test object 2 is a motor vehicle, for example, known driver robots can be arranged inside the vehicle that implement the control commands by the test bench automation unit 3, such as gear changes, acceleration, etc. Alternatively, or additionally, the test bench automation unit 3 could actuate the test object 2 directly, for example, via a test object control unit, such as, for example, a vehicle control unit (ECU), a transmission control unit (TCU), a hybrid control unit, a battery management system, etc. In the case that a combustion engine is the test object 2, the test bench automation unit 3 could actuate, for example, the throttle valve position (see FIG. 3) or the fuel injection.

(10) A load is applied to the test object 2 by means of a load machine (generally, an actuator) 5, in the present case mechanically (mechanical power flow between the test object and the environment). In the case of a roller test bench, the (mechanical) load machine 5 is the input and/or output of the test bench rollers, as indicated in FIG. 1. In the case that a combustion engine or a drivetrain as the test object 2, the mechanical load machine 5 would be, for example, a dynamometer or an electrical dynamometer that is connected to the combustion engine or the drivetrain. In the case that a battery is the test object 2, the load machine 5 would be electrical, for example, in form of an electrical battery tester. Suitable load machines for different test objects 2 are well known in the art, which is why any further discussion of them is presently not necessary.

(11) The load machine 5 is most often controlled by an actuator controller 4, which in turn receives setpoints from the test bench automation unit 3 for adjusting, for example, particular and often transient load moments M or particular and often transient speeds n of the test object 2. The test bench 1 typically provides also a torque measuring device 6 and/or a speed measuring device 7 that establish the corresponding actual values of the load moment M and the speed n of the test object 2, and that make these values available to the test bench automation unit 3. It is understood that other or additional measured variables can be used for other test objects 2 and/or test bench types, such as, for example, an electrical current or electrical voltage, which are measured and supplied to the test bench automation unit 3.

(12) Furthermore, the emissions are measured during the test run on the test bench 1, for example, by means of an exhaust gas measurement system 14. Naturally, it is understood that, depending on the test object 2, other or additional measurements can be taken, particularly measurements that are necessary in the development of the test object, such as, for example, measurements as to consumption, electrical energy flow, etc. The fundamental goal of a test run lies in detecting and analyzing at least one output variable of the test object 2, which are, for example, emission, consumption, power, etc., to derive based thereupon findings for the development of the test object 2. In these efforts, it is desirable for the test object 2 to essentially behave identically on the test bench 1 and when it is incorporated in the physical vehicle.

(13) At least one conditioning unit 16 is often also provided on the test bench 1 intended for conditioning the test object environment of the test object 2 and/or of the test object 2. In particular, this way, it is possible to subject the test object 2 to a particular (e.g., desired) heat transfer that is variable in terms of space and time and that the test object 2 on the test bench 1 exchanges with the testing environment thereof. The heat transfer can be coupled to a specific material transfer, for example, heat transfer with an air flow or another material flow. Accordingly, the heat transfer also comprises such material transfers as equivalents to heat transfers. A test bench air conditioning means for adjusting the environmental temperature, humidity, etc. in the testing environment is often provided as a conditioning unit 16. The conditioning unit 16 can, furthermore, also comprise a blower 8 for simulating, for example, a headwind. But the blower 8 can also be provided separately from the conditioning unit 16 on the test bench 1, as a separate installation. A blower 8 of this kind contributes to subjecting the test object 2 to a particular (e.g., desired) heat transfer process that is variable in terms of space and time, and which the test object 2 exchanges with the testing environment. It is understood here too that, frequently, it is possible to use different conditioning units 16 for different types of test benches. In the shown embodiment, the conditioning unit 16 comprises a blower 8 that subjects the test object 2 to a particular air flow field 9.

(14) In addition, in a manner that is known in the art, the conditioning unit 16 at the test bench 1 for conditioning the test object 2 can further comprise a media conditioning unit, for example, intake air conditioning, charge air conditioning, oil conditioning or coolant conditioning. The former are not shown in FIG. 1 to improve the clarity of the drawing. These actuators also contribute to subject the test object 2 to particular, often desired, heat transfer processes that are variable over space and time.

(15) The conditioning unit 16, where applicable with the blower 8 and/or with a media conditioning unit, typically receives particular setpoints (temperature, humidity, mass flows, . . . ) from the test bench automation unit 3 that are adjusted by the conditioning unit 16 and/or the blower 8 or the media conditioning unit. As outlined in the introduction, such a conditioning unit 16 with a blower 8 and/or with classical media conditioning units cannot at all or in view of the testing task that is to be accomplished only inadequately simulate the desired (for example, approximating reality) heat transfer processes on test object 2 or on test object components.

(16) To be able to implement the test runs on the test bench 1 in such a manner that the thermal conditions of the test object 2 are consistent during the test run with the preset or desired conditions, particularly also such conditions that simulate reality (in the sense of a tracing run of a real test run on the test bench), according to the present teaching, it is provided that the thermal conditions of the test object 2 be reproduced in accordance with these requirements. This will be explained below based on FIG. 2 and the example of a roller test bench as test bench 1 and a motor vehicle as test object 2 and based on FIG. 3 and the example of an engine test bench as test bench 1 and a combustion engine as test object 2. Some of the components of the test bench 1 from FIG. 1 have been omitted to improve the clarity of the drawings.

(17) Test object 2 comprises a plurality of test object components PKi, i=1, . . . , m, wherein the test object component PKi can be an entire assembly of the test object 2, such as a combustion engine 10, an exhaust gas system 11 or exhaust gas aftertreatment units 12, 13, such as a catalytic converter or a particle filter inside the exhaust gas system 11. But the test object component PKi can also be a component of the test object 2 or a part of an assembly of test object 2, such as, for example, an exhaust pipe section of the exhaust gas system 11. However, it is also possible for the entire test object 2 to stand for a test object component PKi (i=1), for example, when the test object 2 is an electrical rechargeable battery. The present teaching provides for the presence of at least one such test object component PKi. A test object component in the sense of the present teaching is particularly a part of the test object 2 that is subject to a thermal interaction (heat transfer, heat flux densities) that is variable over space and time and which the test object 2 exchanges with the test object environment thereof, as described below. Accordingly, especially such parts are suitable as test object components PKi whose behavior or characteristics are a function of the thermal load. This way, it is possible to influence particular characteristics of the test object 2. For example, the characteristic NOx emissions is, among others, a function of the thermal load of the test object component catalytic converter.

(18) At a number n of measurement points MSi, i=1, . . . , n, wherein, according to the present teaching, at least one measurement point MS1 is necessary, a measurement unit MEi, i=1, . . . , n is arranged, by which a measured variable MGi, i=1, . . . , n of the test object 2 is measured. It is also possible to provide different measurement units MEi at one measurement point MSi for the purpose of measuring different measured variables MGi. At least one measured variable MGi therein is a temperature, or a measured variable based upon which it is possible to calculate or estimate a temperature. Accordingly, at least one measurement unit MEi is, for example, a simple temperature sensor that serves for measuring a temperature of the test object 2 at the measurement point MSi. A measurement unit MEi for detecting a temperature can, for example, detect a temperature of a medium, such as the temperature of an exhaust gas or a fluid, an assembly temperature and/or component temperature or a surface temperature. In principle, it is also possible to measure complex three-dimensional temperature fields of the test object 2, of a test object component PKi or of a part thereof, by means of a thermal image camera as a measurement unit MEi or by use of other methods.

(19) Applying suitable mathematical/physical methods, it is possible to derive the entire temperature field (meaning as to the spatial temperature distribution) of the test object 2 or a test object component PKi or of parts thereof (for example, the surface of the test object component PKi) on the basis of some temperature measurements that were taken for the test object 2. A method of this type could utilize, for example, the known interpolation via spline functions or the method of finite elements in order to estimate temperatures and/or spatial temperature curves between the measurement points MSi.

(20) Using measurement units MEi on the test object 2, it is also possible to measure a media flow, such as the flow of exhaust gas through the exhaust gas system 11 or an intake air flow. Other possible measurements that can be taken are media pressures, such as exhaust gas pressures, that can be established at various points.

(21) Similarly, with a measurement unit MEi on the test bench 1, it is also, additionally, possible to measure a measured variable MGi of the test object environment of the test object 2, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the test object 2. A measured variable MGi of the test object environment can be, for example, the air pressure, an environmental temperature, a humidity, etc. Not all measurement points MSi, measurement units MEi and measured variables MGi have been designated in FIGS. 2 and 3 to improve the clarity of the drawings.

(22) To be able to simulate heat transfer processes in the desired or prescribed manner on a test object component PKi on the test bench 1, at least one heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, j=1, . . . , k is provided. The desired heat transfer processes are generated on a test object component PKi by means of the at least one heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, particularly in form of heat flows {dot over (Q)}(t), or heat flux densities {dot over (q)}(t, x), that are preferably variable in terms of space (x) and time (t). For reasons of simplification, only {dot over (Q)} and {dot over (q)} will be used below. The heat flow {dot over (Q)} is the integral of the heat flux density {dot over (q)} and the two variables can be used in an equivalent manner. Only the term heat flow {dot over (Q)} will therefore be used below, wherein this is also understood to include in an equivalent manner a heat flux density {dot over (q)} or any other variable that is equivalent to a heat flow {dot over (Q)}.

(23) A heat flow actuator 15.sub.j can represent a heat sink, a heat source, or both. Various devices are conceivable as heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, which transfer heat (in any direction), or that have the capability of subjecting particularly the test object components PKi to heat flows {dot over (Q)}. Conceivable devices are, for example, water or air heat exchangers, fluid flow devices (for example, blowers, venturi flow devices), Peltier elements, spray nozzles for spraying fluids, such as water, etc. This means, therefore, that even a conventional conditioning unit 16 for the test bench conditioning is also usable, as a matter of principle, as a heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the same way, it is also possible to use the blower 8 of the test bench 1 or a media conditioning unit of the conditioning unit 16, such as, for example, intake air conditioning, charge air conditioning, oil conditioning or coolant conditioning of a combustion engine 10, as a heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, as indicated in FIG. 3 with the heat flow actuators 15.sub.1, 15.sub.2 and 15.sub.3. A media conditioning unit of this kind is typically configured as a heat exchanger for the respective medium. This means, accordingly, that the test object 2 and/or a test object component PKi is subject to a specific, preferably preset, heat transfer that is variable over space and time, which the test object 2 exchanges with the test object environment, by means of a heat flow actuator 15.sub.j and a heat flow {dot over (Q)}.

(24) The precise configuration of the heat flow actors 15.sub.j is secondary for purposes of the present teaching. The only requirement that is specified for the heat flow actuator 15.sub.j is the capability of generating a heat flow {dot over (Q)} to a test object component PKi of the test object 2 and/or a heat flow {dot over (Q)} away from a test object component PKi of the test object 2, or both. This means that any heat flow actuator 15.sub.j can supply heat to and/or dissipate heat from the test object 2.

(25) Using the measurement units MEi, it is also possible to detect a measured variable of a heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, such as, for example, a blower speed or a flow speed of the air, when the heat flow actuator 15.sub.j is a blower 8 (as seen in FIG. 2 with the measurement unit MEn), or a fluid flow of a heat exchanger fluid (air, water, etc.), when the heat flow actuator 15.sub.j is a heat exchanger.

(26) At least one heat flow controller 17 handles the actuation of the heat flow actuator 15.sub.j for adjusting a desired heat flow {dot over (Q)}. The implementation of the heat flow controller 17 can be achieved as a separate unit on the test bench 1 (as seen in FIG. 3) and/or integrated in the heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, and/or as part of the test bench automation unit 3 (as seen in FIG. 2).

(27) Accordingly, the control the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j by means of the heat flow controller(s) 17 is a multi-variable control, which processes at least one measured variable MGi, particularly at least a temperature at the measurement point MSi on the test object 2, with the object of generating a specific heat flow {dot over (Q)}. If a measurement unit MEi for detecting an actual variable is also needed for controlling a heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, a corresponding measurement unit MEi must be provided. In the alternative, it is also possible to calculate the necessary actual variable based on other measured variables MGi. Any suitable control law can be implemented in the heat flow controller 17, wherein the concrete implementation of the control law is secondary for purposes of the present teaching.

(28) The measurement units MEi supply their measured variables MGi to the heat flow controllers 17, which process the corresponding measured variable MGi, and, if need be, they supply said variables also to the test bench automation unit 3 or to the simulation unit 20.

(29) The effect of the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j on the individual test object components PKi that must be conditioned is usually coupled. This means that heat flow actuators 15.sub.j act simultaneously on a plurality of test object components PKi, or vice versa, in that a test object component PKi is influenced by a plurality of heat flow actuators 15.sub.j simultaneously. Therefore, it is advantageous to decoupling the individual heat flow actuators 15.sub.j for the purpose of controlling the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j. Ample references are found in the literature that describe related known methods in the art (for example, J. K. Hedrick, A. Girard, Control of Nonlinear Dynamic Systems: Theory and Applications, 2005; here: particularly Chapter 8 and S. Skogestad, I. Postlethwaite Multivariable Feedback Control Analysis and Design, 2nd Edition, 2001; here: particularly Chapters 9, 10 and 3.4.1), which is why this aspect shall not be discussed in further detail.

(30) Insofar as there is no coupling between different test object components PKi and respectively allocated heat flow actuators 15.sub.j, it is possible to achieve decentralized control with standalone heat flow controllers 17 even without decoupling.

(31) Together, the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j generate on the test object 2 a temporally and spatially variable heat flux field {dot over (Q)}.sub.f, or analogously a heat flux density field {dot over (q)}.sub.f, that acts upon the test object components PKi. When the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j are decoupled, there results the heat flux field {dot over (Q)}.sub.f=[{dot over (Q)}.sub.1, . . . , {dot over (Q)}.sub.j], or analogously a heat flux density field {dot over (q)}.sub.f=[{dot over (q)}.sub.1, . . . , {dot over (q)}.sub.j], on a test object components PKi that is be conditioned.

(32) A test object component PKi is advantageously subdivided in i=1, . . . , s finite segments Si. Said subdivision in segments Si can be implemented by means of a granularity that is adequate for the requirement or application. A segment Si can be a complete test object component PKi, for example, the exhaust gas system 11 or an exhaust gas aftertreatment unit 12, 13 of the exhaust gas system 11. Still, the segments Si can be subdivided in the same way into finer segments, for example, a test object component PKi can be subdivided in a plurality of segments Si. For example, the exhaust gas system 11 can be subdivided in ten segments Si. However, as a matter of principle, an entire test object 2, such as, for example, a battery, can also be a segment Si. The specific subdivision of the segments Si is secondary in the context of the present teaching. It is important to note, however, that the number of i=1, . . . , k of the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j does not have to match the number of i=1, . . . , s of the segments Si. In fact, typically, it will not match. Due to the heat flux field {dot over (Q)}.sub.f that was generated by the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j, there result, correspondingly, segment-heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si, which means a heat flow from the test object environment into the respective segment Si or from the respective segment Si in the test object environment. FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of this, wherein, in this embodiment, a test object component PKi has been subdivided in six segments Si.

(33) The heat flow actuators 15.sub.j generate the heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.j, either to and/or from the test object component PKi. As described previously, measurement units MEi are provided at certain measurement points MSi on the test object 2 and, if need be, also in the environment of test object 2, whereby at least a temperature is measured on the test object 2. Using the measurement units MEi, it is possible to detect the measured variables MGi of the test object 2 and/or of a test object component PKi, but also the measured variables MGi of the test object environment of test object 2, such as, for example, the air pressure or the humidity in the testing space, or measured variables MGi of a heat flow actuator 15.sub.j, such as, for example, a flow velocity. The measured variables MGi that are detected by means of the measurement units MEi are supplied to the heat flow controller 17, which now calculates the manipulated variables for the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j according to the implemented control law in order to adjust the desired segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si (setpoint setting). Accordingly, it is possible to adjust, in a targeted fashion, a segment heat flow {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si on the segments S.sub.i that corresponds as much as possible to the requirements, such as, for example, the real circumstances of a real test run by a physical vehicle. Naturally, the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j are arranged on the test bench 1 in such a manner so as to facilitate the adjustment of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si.

(34) Thus, there has been described a flexible, open and expandable, generalized IO system (sensors and actuators, including control) for subjecting test objects 2 on the test bench 1 to heat flux fields {dot over (Q)}.sub.f that are variable over space and time and that provide an adequate level of quality and dynamics in correspondence to the respective test run and testing task.

(35) According to the present teaching, a simulation unit 20 (in form of suitable simulation hardware and/or simulation software) is provided for the setpoint settings of said heat flux fields {dot over (Q)}.sub.f for generating the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si. Based on at least one suitable simulation model 22 having real-time capability, this simulation unit 20 generates the setpoints in form of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si that are adjusted via the heat flux field {dot over (Q)}.sub.f, which is variable over space and time.

(36) This now allows, for example, for performing a virtual trial run (test run) where the real test object 2 is incorporated in the virtual world of an overall vehicle and simulated in the environment thereof (X-in-the-loop simulation). This means, for example, the simulation model 22 moves a virtual vehicle through a virtual world. The simulation unit 20 can also be implemented in the test bench automation unit 3. The simulation for the virtual test run on the test bench 1 is preferably in real time. I.e., a current setpoint value is calculated for each time increment, such as, for example, in the millisecond to minute range, for generating the required heat flux fields {dot over (Q)}.sub.f using the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j.

(37) The simulation model 22 comprises at least one thermal simulation model 23, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, that simulates how the test object 2 and/or the test object component PKi thermally would interact with the environment, if the test object 2 or the test object component PKi were incorporated in a physical vehicle and said vehicle were moved along a prescribed route. This environment of a test object component PKi consists of the vehicle components (for example, adjacent vehicle assemblies or components) that are not in reality available on the test bench and the environment of the vehicle (for example, air flow, road surface, . . . ). The thermal simulation model 23 therefore simulates particularly the thermal behavior of the vehicle components that are not physically present on the test bench 1 (if need be, also components incorporated on the test bench) and of the environment (air flow, road surface, etc., for example, in form of underhood and underbody models). This thermal interaction manifests itself in heat flows that are simulated on the test bench 1 with the aid of the heat flow actuators 15.

(38) Additionally, it is possible to implement a vehicle model 24, a driver model 25, a road or route model 26, a wheel model 27, etc. in the simulation model 22, which has been depicted in an exemplary manner in FIG. 5. Further, it is also possible to implement an environmental model that simulates the environment of the vehicle. The different partial models of the simulation model 22 work together therein in order to execute the test run, all the while considering the thermal interaction of the test object 2 with the environment of the vehicle. With the simulation model 22, it is also possible to simulate other influences as well, such as various kinds of driver behaviors (conservative, aggressive, etc.), road conditions (for example, aquaplaning, ice, different road covers, etc.) or tires. Accordingly, it is also possible for the heat flux field {dot over (Q)}.sub.f to result from a simulated driving situation that accounts for particular environmental conditions. For example, it is conceivable that a sporty driver will cut a curve and thereby drive over an ice patch on the road or through a puddle (e.g., water spray), while a conservative driver, on the other hand, will follow the line of the curve and therefore avoid the ice patch or the puddle. This has a direct influence on the thermal transfer processes on the test object 2. It is even possible to provide, right on the test bench 1, real control elements for a vehicle, such as, for example, a steering wheel, a gas pedal, a brake pedal, a gear shift, etc. that can be used to actively intervene in the test run. The simulation is preferably run in real time and with the required time resolution.

(39) Instead of diverse partial models (a vehicle model 24, a driver model 25, a road or route model 26, a wheel model 27, underhood and underbody models as part of the thermal simulation model 23, etc.), it is possible that the test run is provided in a different way, for example, in form of a conventional time-based or path-based velocity setting. The concrete test run is determined on the basis of the partial models or the time- or path-based settings, wherein the thermal interaction of the test object 2 with the environment is simulated by the thermal simulation model 23.

(40) The simulation unit 20 further includes an interface 21 (FIG. 5) by which the simulation model 22 can be supplied with the necessary measured variables MGi but also with actual variables of the test object 2, such as an or a plurality of actual speeds n.sub.ist,x, or of the load machine 5, such as an or a plurality of actual torques M.sub.ist,z, and by means of which the simulation model 22 outputs calculated setpoint values for controlling the test object 2 (for example, the throttle position .sub.soll) and/or the test bench 1 (for example, a setpoint torque M.sub.soll and/or a setpoint speed n.sub.soll of the load machine 5, or a plurality of setpoint torques and/or setpoint speeds for a plurality of load machines), and/or of the test run, particularly of the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j. If need be, the interface 21 provides necessary signal processing mechanisms, for example, filters for the measured variables MGi. By providing the measured variables MGi for the simulation unit 20, the simulation loop is closed, and the test object 2 is in fact incorporated in the loop of a virtual-real world.

(41) The thermal simulation model 23, which reproduces the thermal interaction of a test object component PKi with the environment, can be designed in any way, for example, in form of a physical model, an empirical model or a trained model (neural network, linear model network, etc.). Moreover, the thermal simulation model 23 can reproduce the behavior of a test object component PKi that is present in reality on the test bench 1 and is to be examined in order to reconstruct, for example, not measured or not measurable variables (e.g., temperatures) (for example, by means of a control observer). In each preset time increment, the thermal simulation model 23 determines setpoints for the segment thermal flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si for at least one segment Si, preferably for each segment Si, of the test object 2. To this end, the thermal simulation model 23 processes at least one temperature that was measured by the measurement unit MEi at the associated measurement point MSi (or another equivalent physical variable). It is understood that the thermal simulation model 23 can also process further measured variables MGi, such as, for example, mass or volume flows, air pressure, ambient temperature, etc. What measured variables MGi are indeed needed will depend on the respective implementation of the thermal simulation model 23 and, if need be, from the respective implementation of the other models of the simulation model 22. It is also possible herein that the measured variables MGi that are necessary for the thermal simulation model 23 are not acquired based on a direct measurement, but that they are estimated on the basis of other measured variables MGi, for example, via a suitable observer or by calculating the same. Using the example of an exhaust gas system 11, it is possible, for example, to calculate the surface temperature at different sites on the exhaust gas system 11 based on the measurement of an input and output temperature of the exhaust gas into and out of the exhaust gas system 11 and a measurement of the exhaust gas mass flow through the exhaust gas system 11.

(42) The thermal simulation model 23 can further process variables of the test run itself, for example, variables that are obtained from other models of the simulation model 22 or from the setpoint speed, such as, e.g., a vehicle speed. Preferably, the test run will also preset environmental conditions, such as the air temperature, humidity, etc., that can be included in the simulation model 23. But events can also be preset, for example, a thunderstorm, stoppage times of the vehicle or driving through a puddle, which can also be included in the thermal simulation model 23.

(43) Via the interface 21, setpoints of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si that were determined, for example, numerically or model-based, are supplied to a heat flow controller 17 that adjusts these setpoints with a particular level of quality in each preset time increment of the control by means of a number of heat flow actuators 15.sub.j, wherein at least one heat flow actuator 15.sub.j is provided, on the at least one segment Si, preferably on all segments Si. The quality therein depends, among other factors, on the concrete implementation of the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j. To this end, manipulated variables for the available j heat flow actuators 15.sub.j are calculated based on the setpoints of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si in a heat flow controller 17, in accordance with the implemented control law, and preset for the heat flow actuators 15.sub.i that generate the corresponding heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.j, and/or the heat flux field {dot over (Q)}.sub.f.

(44) The following example is intended to illustrate the method according to the present teaching: The test object 2 is incorporated in a real vehicle and is moved across a real testing terrain in the context of a real trial run. This would result in particular real segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.si in the segments Si that are defined on the test object 2. The object now consists in generating these real segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si, which occur during the real trial run, in a virtual trial run on the test bench 1, i.e. in a test runs, as setpoints from a suitable thermal simulation model 23. According to the laws of physics, said segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si significantly depend on the temperature fields that result on the test object 2, which are detected via the measurement points MSi, for example, by means of heat conduction, convection, heat radiation. To this end, the temperatures of the test object 2 are measured in every time increment on n measurement points MSi, and, based on the thermal simulation model 23, the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si are calculated and adjusted at the test bench 1 by means of a heat flow controller 17 and the heat flow actuators 15j.

(45) It must also be noted in general that there does not have to be a 1:1 correspondence between the measurement points MSi and the segments Si. For example, for individual segments, it is possible to measure the temperature multiple times, while for other segments Si, on the other hand, a temperature measurement is not required at all. On such segments, the temperature field is only estimated in these instances.

(46) The information flow for controlling the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si is shown once more in a generalized form in FIG. 6. A number of measured variables MGi is detected at particular measurement points MSi on the test object 2 using the measurement units MEi. A temperature (or an equivalent physical variable) is detected at least at one measurement point MSi on the test object 2 therein. In addition, it is further possible to measure other measurement variables MGi, such as, for example, environmental variables (ambient temperature, humidity, air pressure, etc.), as well as mass or volume flows, as explained above. Via the interface 21, the measurement variables MGi are supplied to the thermal simulation model 23 of the simulation model 22 in the simulation unit 20, possibly also to further models of the simulation model 22. Based on the measured variables MGi, the thermal simulation model 23 determines the setpoints of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si on the segments Si. These setpoints of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si are supplied to a heat flow controller 17 for the adjustment by means of the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j. The heat flow actuators 15.sub.j generate the necessary related heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.j that act upon the test object components PKi or on the segments Si that are to be conditioned.

(47) In the case that the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si change rapidly in consecutive time increments, for example when driving through a puddle, whereby, for example, an ample amount of water from the puddle evaporates on the hot muffler of the exhaust gas system 11, it can happen that the heat flow actuator 15.sub.j is unable, due to its limited dynamic properties, to adjust such quick changes of the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si. In such a case, it is possible to provide that at least the segment heat flows {dot over (Q)}.sub.Si are adjusted as integral mean over a suitably chosen time window, for example 1 minute, so that the integrally exchanged heat will be consistent with the test run over a longer period of time.

(48) In order to adjust the load state of the test object 2 on the test bench 1 by means of the load machine 5 according to the test run, the simulation unit 20 can also exchange information with the test bench automation unit 3 and/or the actuator controller 4.

(49) Although the present teaching has been described based on the example of an exhaust gas system 11, the use of other and different test object components PKi of a vehicle is obviously possible. Especially interesting is, for example, the use of a combustion engine, a radiator or a powerpack of a hybrid vehicle as a test object component PKi on which can also be provided, in each instance, a plurality of segments Si. Accordingly, an X-in-the-loop test bench 1 is realized with the present teaching, wherein for particular vehicle components (the X) physically real hardware is incorporated in the test bench 1 (test object 2), and wherein, as a test run, a trial run is simulated, with the vehicle that has the test object 2 incorporated therein, in the simulation unit 20. It is possible to view the entire vehicle as a vehicle component. The simulation simulates the thermal interaction of the test object 2 with the environment thereof in form of thermal transfer processes, which the test object 2 would experience in the course of a real trial run. However, it is further possible to preset any other, particularly fictitious thermal transfer processes, and use the same in the course of a test run. The thermal transfer processes resulting from this simulation are adjusted at the test bench 1 by means of the heat flow actuators 15.sub.j. The resulting test runs on the test bench 1 resemble reality very closely.