Procedures for managing industrial trucks and industrial trucks

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for managing industrial trucks. In particular, the invention relates to a method for managing industrial trucks, wherein the industrial truck has a control computer that can transmit data to a central service computer via data transmission means, in which malfunctions of the industrial truck are detected by the control computer.

[0002] Industrial trucks are used in large numbers in warehouses and / or production plants, particularly in industrial series production, to transport incoming goods, raw materials and intermediate products from the goods receiving area to the actual production site, such as an assembly line. Managing these fleets of industrial trucks, which can usually consist of a large number of forklift trucks, each operated by a driver, presents typical tasks that must be solved within the framework of fleet management. For example, service intervals and any repair work required must be managed. According to the current state of the art, a fault or malfunction is reported by the owner or customer as the user of an industrial truck.a fault is assessed and a type of fault report is transmitted to the responsible service organization insofar as the need for repair is reported by known means, for example by telephone or fax. If a repair request or a service request is received in this way, the service organization receives no or only very limited instructions for action or information about the malfunction or error that has occurred in the industrial truck and the causes of the error. The result is that a service technician can often only determine the cause of the error and, if necessary, identify defective components on the defective industrial truck using the available diagnostic options, in particular appropriate diagnostic software, and by querying error memories. However, this means that in many cases a service technician has to make a second trip because he or she does not have the relevant component with him or her.Given the multitude of possible variants and the large number of years of manufacture of industrial trucks that are in operation at the same time, it is only possible to carry a few very common components as a precautionary measure.

[0003] The wireless transmission of data to and from an industrial truck is well known for diagnostic and service purposes.

[0004] US 2005 / 0021197 A1 discloses a method for managing vehicles, wherein the vehicle has a control computer that can transmit data to a central service computer via data transmission means. The control computer in the vehicle detects vehicle malfunctions and generates error codes corresponding to the malfunctions. The error codes are transmitted to the central service computer via the data transmission means. Instructions for servicing and repairing the vehicle and / or information about required spare parts are generated on the central service computer.

[0005] US 2010 / 0179844 A1 discloses a method for managing industrial trucks, wherein the industrial truck has a control computer that can transmit data to a central service computer via data transmission means. The control computer in the industrial truck detects malfunctions of the vehicle and generates error codes corresponding to the malfunctions. The error codes are transmitted to the central service computer via data transmission means. The central service computer is connected to a database in which instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck and / or information about required spare parts are stored. Corresponding instructions can be transmitted to a display of the industrial truck, or a service technician can retrieve corresponding instructions from the database in order to plan the repair of the industrial truck.

[0006] US 2002 / 0016655 A1 discloses a method for providing vehicle information and / or vehicle maintenance information, in which multiple computers can access a database of a central computer, wherein instructions for servicing or repairing the vehicle are stored in the central computer's database. A user can access the central computer via a computer, and after the user enters a vehicle fault, the central computer generates instructions for action, which are then transmitted to the user's computer.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a method for vehicle management of industrial trucks with which the elimination of errors and the repair of damage can be carried out in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

[0008] This object is achieved by a method for vehicle management of industrial trucks having the features of independent claim 1 and by a system comprising an industrial truck and a central service computer having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are specified by the subclaims.

[0009] The object is achieved by a method for updating instructions for the service and repair of an industrial truck, wherein the industrial truck has a control computer that can transmit data to a central service computer via data transmission means, the method comprising the following steps: Recording of malfunctions of the industrial truck by the control computer, generation of error codes corresponding to the malfunctions by the control computer, transmission of the error codes via the data transmission means to the central service computer, generation of instructions for the service and repair of the industrial truck and / or information on required spare parts by the central service computer, whereby the instructions for the service and repair of the industrial truck are made available by the software on the central service computer, and _ updating of the instructions on the central service computer from experience with previous repairs, reports prepared by service technicians, whereby in specified electronic forms,Service reports or other feedback is provided by the service technicians and is automatically processed by the software on the central service computer, and information about the repair time and a possible repair date is made available to the user of the industrial truck via a web application, the service computer selecting an associated spare parts list based on a transmitted or determined serial number of the industrial truck, and the service computer initiating the retrieval of these spare parts from a spare parts warehouse for spare parts corresponding to a determined most probable cause of the fault.

[0010] According to the invention, the error codes can be analyzed on the central service computer. By determining a required spare part or selecting from several potential required spare parts, unnecessary trips by a service technician are avoided, as the service technician then usually has all the necessary parts with him on his first visit to repair the industrial truck. The selection of spare parts on the central service computer can be made using databases or directories that are stored in the service computer's software and are carried out automatically. This also makes it easy to maintain the software on the central service computer and keep it up to date, ensuring that the most current spare parts are always selected.Likewise, the software on the central service computer provides instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck, particularly those sections of the repair manual or repair notes associated with the error codes. These instructions can be kept up to date at all times, and each repair is carried out according to the latest instructions. In particular, it is possible to update the instructions on the central service computer based on experience with previous repairs, reports prepared by service technicians, etc., in the spirit of an expert system. This can be done, for example, by having service technicians provide feedback in predefined electronic forms, service reports, or in another predefined manner, which is processed by the software, particularly by taking this feedback into account in a set of rules for assessing error codes. This creates a self-learning system.In particular, it is advantageous for the error codes to be processed automatically by the software on the central service computer. This not only makes them available as readable data for a user on the central service computer, but also automatically starts a work process or workflow. The error codes are analyzed using rule-based programs on the central service computer. Solution trees with probabilities of occurrence can be created to assess which rules apply to an error code. The invention can advantageously reduce operating costs, in particular by avoiding unnecessary empty runs by service technicians to determine the cause of the error. In addition, the automatic error message and the generated instructions increase the availability of the industrial truck through fast and targeted repairs.By controlling the entire process from the notification of an error code via a workflow that can be made available to third parties, especially all those involved, as a display, it is also advantageously possible to easily record the availability of the industrial truck or the downtimes until a repair is reported as complete. The display to third parties can be additional or via status messages. The fully automatic start and fully automatic monitoring of the entire process in the central service computer advantageously enables rapid service deployment without significant additional effort, even in multi-shift industrial truck operation, since a repair order can be initiated, for example, during the night, without the service team having to set up a corresponding on-call service.By providing feedback via service reports after repairs have been completed and comparing them with the instructions provided by the software on the central service computer, it is also possible to check and improve the quality of the instructions by comparing the actual and the target values.

[0011] In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the control computer additionally records measured values ​​of the industrial truck and transmits these to the service computer, in particular measured values ​​related to the error codes and / or measured values ​​of the vehicle components assigned to the error codes.

[0012] By combining the error code with corresponding measured values, a more precise assessment based on rules is possible and, in particular, a learning expert system can be generated.

[0013] Advantageously, the instructions include a description of the fault and / or documents with assembly instructions and / or adjustment instructions and / or required work values.

[0014] This allows downtime and repair times to be estimated and planned. It is also possible to automatically generate a repair quote for the owner of the industrial truck and suggest or agree on a repair time window.

[0015] In a favorable embodiment of the method according to the invention, the data transmission means are wireless data connections and the data transmission takes place via GPRS, UMTS, LTE, Bluetooth or WLAN.

[0016] This allows for safe and reliable data transmission without the need for a fixed cable connection to the industrial truck. This allows for immediate transmission of an error code and initiation of a repair order when an error occurs.

[0017] The data transmission means can establish a connection to a central service computer via the Internet.

[0018] Advantageously, the service computer provides a workflow that can be displayed on other computers or on the service computer itself, in particular a workflow that can be displayed as an application on the Internet.

[0019] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, the central service computer transmits instructions and / or information about required spare parts to a receiving device for a service technician as messages, in particular as e-mail or SMS.

[0020] Instructions for action, including probabilities of occurrence for certain events, such as errors, problems to be considered during repairs, and other additional information, can be sent to the service technician. Spare parts suggestions can also be sent to the service technician.

[0021] Advantageously, the central service computer can transmit data to the control computer of the industrial truck via the data transmission means.

[0022] According to the invention, the service computer selects an associated spare parts list based on a transmitted or determined serial number of the industrial truck.

[0023] This makes it advantageous to always select the current spare parts catalog for an industrial truck and determine the corresponding ordering data for a required spare part. It also makes it possible to always provide the most up-to-date operating instructions.

[0024] The object is also achieved by a system comprising an industrial truck and a central service computer, wherein the industrial truck is provided with a control computer which can transmit error codes about detected malfunctions of the industrial truck to a central service computer via data transmission means in order to generate instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck and / or information about required spare parts, wherein the instructions on the central service computer are updated from experience with previous repairs and reports prepared by service technicians.

[0025] With the system according to the invention, the error codes can also be advantageously analyzed on the central service computer. By determining a required spare part or selecting from several potential required spare parts, unnecessary trips by a service technician are avoided, since the service technician then usually has all the necessary parts with him on his first visit for a repair. The selection of spare parts on the central service computer can be made using databases or directories stored in software and carried out automatically. This also makes it easy to maintain the software on the central service computer and keep it up to date so that the most current spare parts are always selected.Likewise, the software on the central service computer provides instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck, particularly those sections of the repair manual associated with the error codes. These instructions can be kept up to date at all times, and each repair is carried out according to the latest instructions. In particular, it is possible to update the instructions on the central service computer based on experience with previous repairs, reports prepared by service technicians, etc., in the spirit of an expert system. This can be done, for example, by having service technicians provide feedback in predefined electronic forms, service reports, or in another predefined manner, which is then processed by the software, particularly by taking this feedback into account in a set of rules for assessing error codes. This creates a self-learning system.In particular, it is advantageous for the error codes to be processed automatically by the software on the central service computer. This not only makes them available as readable data for a user on the central service computer, but also automatically starts a work process or workflow. The error codes are analyzed using rule-based programs on the central service computer. Solution trees with probabilities of occurrence can be created to assess which rules apply to an error code. The invention can advantageously reduce operating costs, in particular by avoiding unnecessary empty runs by service technicians to determine the cause of the error. In addition, the automatic error message and the generated instructions increase the availability of the industrial truck through fast and targeted repairs.By controlling the entire process from the notification of an error code via a workflow that can be made available to third parties, especially all those involved, as a display, it is also advantageously possible to easily record the availability of the industrial truck or the downtimes until a repair is reported as complete. The display to third parties can be additional or via status messages. The fully automatic start and fully automatic monitoring of the entire process in the central service computer advantageously enables rapid service deployment without significant additional effort, even in multi-shift industrial truck operation, since a repair order can be initiated, for example, during the night, without the service team having to set up a corresponding on-call service.By providing feedback via service reports after repairs have been completed and comparing them with the instructions provided by the software on the central service computer, it is also possible to check and improve the quality of the instructions by comparing the actual and the target values.

[0026] Advantageously, the control computer can also record measured values ​​from the industrial truck and transmit them to the service computer, in particular measured values ​​related to the error codes and / or measured values ​​from the vehicle components assigned to the error codes.

[0027] By combining error codes with corresponding measured values, a more precise assessment based on rules is possible and, in particular, a learning expert system can be generated.

[0028] The instructions may include a description of the fault and / or documents with assembly instructions and / or adjustment instructions and / or required work values.

[0029] This allows downtime and repair times to be estimated. It is also possible to automatically generate a repair quote for the owner of the industrial truck and suggest a repair time frame.

[0030] Advantageously, the data transmission means can be wireless data connections and the data transmission takes place via GPRS, UMTS, LTE, Bluetooth or WLAN.

[0031] This allows for safe and reliable data transmission without the need for a fixed cable connection to the industrial truck. This allows for immediate transmission of an error code and initiation of a repair order when an error occurs.

[0032] In an advantageous embodiment of the industrial truck according to the invention, the data transmission means comprise a connection to a central service computer via the Internet.

[0033] In an advantageous embodiment of the service computer of the system according to the invention, a workflow that can be displayed on other computers or on the service computer itself can be available, in particular a workflow that can be displayed as an application on the Internet.

[0034] Advantageously, the central service computer can transmit instructions and / or information about required spare parts to a receiving device for a service technician as messages, in particular as e-mail or SMS.

[0035] Instructions with probabilities of occurrence for certain events, such as errors, problems to be considered during repairs, and other additional information can be sent to the service technician. Spare parts suggestions can also be sent to the service technician. The service technician's receiving device can be a notebook, a smartphone, or another network-compatible device.

[0036] Data can be transferred to the control computer of the industrial truck via the data transmission means.

[0037] According to the invention, a spare parts list is selected for the industrial truck based on a transmitted or determined serial number.

[0038] Messages from the industrial truck's control computer can be transmitted to a dedicated database server. A computer in a network, such as the central service computer, can serve as an application server, where a web application manages the entire process. This makes it easy to make information available to other people who also have access to this web application.

[0039] The central service computer can generate service orders, spare parts orders and documents for the repair order to be processed via interfaces to merchandise management systems, for example an SAP interface.

[0040] This advantageously increases the availability of the industrial truck because a repair process can be started immediately after automatic error detection and error notification. This is particularly advantageous for industrial trucks, as a breakdown of such vehicles can very quickly impact a company's production processes. If industrial trucks are used in multiple shifts, such as large fleets of industrial trucks in industrial companies, the invention enables automatic response in the event of a fault. A repair operation can be started automatically, including ordering spare parts and generating instructions for repair personnel, as well as automated determination of repair times in terms of both duration and time.

[0041] Further advantages and details of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figure. The figure shows a schematic representation of the connection of an industrial truck to a central service computer.

[0042] An industrial truck 2 has a transmitter 3, which is connected (indicated by an arrow) to a computer 4 in the operating area of ​​the industrial truck 2. The industrial truck 2 is, for example, a forklift 5, which has a lifting frame 6 with a height-adjustable load fork 7. A counterweight 8 compensates for a load moment of a load weight (not shown) on the load fork 7.

[0043] Computer 4 is connected via the Internet 1, indicated by the double arrow, to a central service computer 9 at a service company. A control computer (not shown) of industrial truck 2, which controls the vehicle's functions, detects errors and generates corresponding error codes. In addition, measured values ​​associated with the error codes, such as sensor-detected values ​​from components for which an error has been reported, are recorded. Both the measured values ​​and the generated error codes are transmitted via transmitter 3 to computer 4, which may be located, for example, on the company premises where industrial truck 2 is used.

[0044] Computer 4 forwards the data via the Internet 1 to the central service computer 9. Software on the central service computer 9 uses a stored database to determine which steps need to be taken to eliminate the error identified from the combination of measured values ​​and the error code, and which spare parts are required. This involves an assessment based on the probability that a specific spare part or, alternatively, a different spare part is required for the current error message. The corresponding repair instructions are also provided for both alternatives. The spare parts are selected based on a current spare parts list, which is determined based on the serial number of the industrial truck 2, which is also transmitted or determined. Finally, a repair order is generated and initiated by the service computer 9.This repair order, generated for the identified most probable cause of the fault, is also transmitted to a service technician along with the instructions and, if applicable, repair information, suggested spare parts, and the determined probability of occurrence. At the same time, a web application provides the owner or user of the industrial truck 2 with information about the repair time and a possible repair date, as well as any resulting costs, which are calculated by the central service computer 9.

[0045] The service computer 9 can determine the most probable cause of the error underlying the error code and, if applicable, the measured values ​​on the basis of rule-based algorithms.

[0046] With the most probable cause of the fault determined, the service computer 9 can further determine and provide a downtime of the industrial truck 2 corresponding to the cause of the fault.

[0047] The service computer 9 further initiates the retrieval of spare parts from a spare parts warehouse for those spare parts corresponding to the identified most probable cause of the fault.

Claims

1. Method for updating instructions for servicing and repairing an industrial truck (2), wherein the industrial truck (2) has a control computer which can transmit data to a central service computer (9) via data transmission means, with the steps of: - detecting malfunctions of the industrial truck (2) by means of the control computer, - generating fault codes corresponding to the malfunctions by means of the control computer, - transmitting the fault codes to the central service computer (9) via the data transmission means, - generating instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck (2) and / or information relating to required spare parts by means of the central service computer (9), wherein the instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck (2) are provided by the software on the central service computer (9), characterized by - updating the instructions on the central service computer (9) from experience with previous repairs, and reports produced by service technicians, wherein feedback is provided by the service technicians in predefined electronic forms, service reports or in any other way and is processed automatically by the software on the central service computer (9), wherein information relating to a repair time and a possible repair date is made available to the user of the industrial truck (2) via a web application, wherein the service computer (9) selects an associated spare parts directory based on a transmitted or determined serial number of the industrial truck (2), and wherein, for spare parts corresponding to a determined most probable cause of the fault, the service computer (9) initiates a removal of these spare parts from a spare parts warehouse.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control computer additionally acquires measured values from the industrial truck (2) and transmits them to the service computer (9).

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the instructions include a description of the fault and / or documents with assembly instructions and / or adjustment instructions and / or required working values.

4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the data transmission means are wireless data connections and data are transmitted via GPRS, UMTS, LTE, Bluetooth or WLAN.

5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data transmission means establish a connection to a central service computer (9) via the Internet (1).

6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the service computer (9) provides a workflow that can be displayed on further computers or the service computer (9) itself.

7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the central service computer (9) transmits instructions and / or information relating to required spare parts as messages to a receiving device for a service technician.

8. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the central service computer (9) can transmit data to the control computer of the industrial truck (2) via the data transmission means.

9. System comprising an industrial truck (2) and a central service computer (9), wherein the industrial truck with a control computer which can transmit fault codes relating to detected malfunctions of the industrial truck (2) to a central service computer (9) via data transmission means for the purpose of generating instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck and / or information relating to required spare parts by means of the central service computer (9), wherein the instructions for servicing and repairing the industrial truck (2) are provided by the software on the central service computer (9), characterized in that the instructions on the central service computer (9) are updated from experience with previous repairs, and reports produced by service technicians, wherein feedback is provided by the service technicians in predefined electronic forms, service reports or in any other way and is processed automatically by the software on the central service computer (9), wherein information relating to a repair time and a possible repair date is made available to the user of the industrial truck (2) via a web application, wherein a spare parts directory is selected based on a transmitted or determined serial number of the industrial truck (2), and wherein, for spare parts corresponding to a determined most probable cause of the fault, the service computer (9) initiates a removal of these spare parts from a spare parts warehouse.

10. Industrial truck of a system according to Claim 9, characterized in that the control computer can additionally acquire measured values from the industrial truck (2) and can transmit them to the service computer (9).

11. Industrial truck of a system according to Claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the instructions include a description of the fault and / or documents with assembly instructions and / or adjustment instructions and / or required working values.

12. Industrial truck of a system according to one of Claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the data transmission means are wireless data connections and data are transmitted via GPRS, UMTS, LTE, Bluetooth or WLAN.

13. Industrial truck of a system according to one of Claims 9 to 12, characterized in that the data transmission means include a connection to a central service computer (9) via the Internet (1).

14. Service computer of a system according to one of Claims 9 to 13, characterized in that a workflow that can be displayed on further computers or the service computer (9) itself is available.

15. Service computer of a system according to one of Claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the central service computer (9) can transmit instructions and / or information relating to required spare parts as messages to a receiving device for a service technician.

16. Service computer of a system according to one of Claims 9 to 15, characterized in that data can be transmitted to the control computer of the industrial truck (2) via the data transmission means.