Abnormal Sound Diagnosis via Frequency Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic systems lack efficient methods for identifying and analyzing abnormal sounds in electronic equipment, such as image forming apparatuses, which hinders timely maintenance and repair.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic apparatus that acquires sound information, performs frequency analysis using Short Time Fourier Transform (STFT) and Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and extracts period information of abnormal sounds to specify their frequency and cause.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If frequency analysis is performed on sound information to identify abnormal sounds, then measurement precision of abnormal sound frequency is improved, but loss of time for diagnosis increases due to complex analysis processes
Solution Approach 1:
The sound analysis process is segmented into multiple stages: initial full-spectrum frequency analysis to identify candidate abnormal frequencies, followed by targeted secondary analysis of specific frequency components. This segmentation allows comprehensive detection while reducing overall analysis time by focusing detailed examination only on suspicious frequencies rather than analyzing the entire spectrum in detail.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary frequency analysis to generate candidate abnormal sound frequencies before conducting detailed examination. By identifying potential abnormal frequencies in advance through initial analysis, the system prepares a focused list of targets for subsequent detailed analysis, avoiding the need to examine all frequencies in detail and thus reducing total diagnosis time while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Reliability
If detailed frequency analysis and period information extraction are performed, then reliability of abnormal sound diagnosis is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple analysis units
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency analysis unit performs multiple functions: it conducts initial broad-spectrum analysis to identify candidate abnormal frequencies, and also performs detailed secondary analysis of specific frequency components. By making this single unit multi-functional, the system achieves reliable comprehensive analysis without requiring separate specialized devices for each analysis stage, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining diagnostic reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The specifying unit acts as an intermediary between the frequency analysis unit and the detailed analysis process. It receives the full frequency spectrum data, identifies candidate abnormal frequencies, and selectively passes only those specific frequencies to the second analysis unit for detailed examination. This intermediary function filters and directs analysis resources efficiently, reducing the complexity burden of comprehensive analysis while ensuring reliable detection of abnormal sounds.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive sound analysis including frequency and period extraction is performed, then loss of information about abnormal sound characteristics is reduced, but ease of operation decreases due to complex data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and isolates only the essential abnormal sound characteristics (specific frequency values and period information) from the comprehensive sound analysis data. By extracting only these critical parameters rather than processing and presenting all raw analysis data, the system preserves the most important diagnostic information while significantly simplifying the data presentation and making it easier for operators to interpret and act upon the results.
Data Source
AI summary
A diagnostic apparatus includes an acquiring unit that acquires sound information; a first analysis unit that performs a frequency analysis of the sound information and generates frequency analysis result data representing a temporal change in an intensity distribution for each frequency; a specifying unit that specifies a frequency of an abnormal sound in the frequency analysis result data; a second analysis unit that analyzes a frequency component of the specified frequency of the abnormal sound; and an extracting unit that extracts period information of the abnormal sound from an analysis result acquired by the second analysis unit.