Augmented Reality Maintenance Station for Construction Machinery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current remote maintenance systems for construction machinery are limited in their ability to repair mechanical components, require specialized technicians, and pose data security concerns, especially when dealing with sensitive information from multiple manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing a 3D printer and augmented reality device at the construction site, facilitated by a data supply station that provides authenticated component data and repair information, allowing on-site repair of various construction machines without exposing sensitive data, and using a multi-stage authentication process for secure data access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a remote maintenance station is connected via data communication link to query operating data and input data sets, then maintenance and software updates can be performed remotely, but mechanical components cannot be repaired, removed, installed, or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote maintenance capabilityVSAvoidmechanical component repair capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

A 3D printer is introduced as an intermediary device between the remote maintenance station and the mechanical components. The printer receives component data from the maintenance station via communication link and locally manufactures the required mechanical parts, enabling physical repair capabilities without requiring on-site specialized technicians or complex logistics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of physically transporting the original mechanical components or specialized tools to the remote site, the system creates digital copies of the component data from the maintenance station and uses these copies to manufacture replacement parts locally at the construction site

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of repair

If detailed component data is provided to enable 3D printing of spare parts, then on-site repair capability is improved, but data security risks increase due to sensitive design data from manufacturers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveon-site spare part productionVSAvoiddata security vulnerability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts only the necessary component data required for 3D printing specific spare parts from the comprehensive manufacturer databases. By requesting and transmitting only the minimal required data (component geometry, dimensions, material specifications) rather than all design data, the system enables on-site repair capability while minimizing data security exposure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The data structure is segmented into multiple levels: manufacturer databases contain comprehensive design data, intermediate data stations hold processed component data, and local maintenance stations store only the specific 3D printing data needed for immediate repairs. This segmentation isolates sensitive manufacturer data from the 3D printing process while maintaining necessary repair capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual data access points from different manufacturers are provided to obtain maintenance data, then comprehensive maintenance capability is achieved, but system complexity and data management burden increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-manufacturer maintenance supportVSAvoiddata access point management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance station is designed with universal data access capabilities that work across multiple manufacturers' systems through standardized communication protocols. A single maintenance station can query, receive, and process component data from various manufacturers without requiring separate specialized interfaces for each manufacturer, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining comprehensive multi-manufacturer support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables quick and secure on-site maintenance and repair of construction machinery components, reducing downtime and transportation costs by producing spare parts locally and providing guided repair instructions, while maintaining data security and compatibility with multiple manufacturers.

Implementation Method 1

a 3D printer for producing spare parts layer by layer based on component data

Methodology Applied
Scientific Effect3D Printing: 3D Printing

Data Source

PatentEP4151807B1Method and device for maintaining and/or repairing a construction machine
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 LIEBHERR WERK BIBERACH GMBH
  • EP4151807B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4151807B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4151807B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for maintaining and/or repairing a construction machine with a mobile maintenance station that can be placed at the construction machine's operating location, comprising a mobile display device for displaying repair information on the construction machine based on component data, wherein the mobile display device includes an augmented reality device that displays an image of the component to be repaired and its installation environment on a screen and overlays the installation position of the component to be repaired in the installation environment onto the displayed image on the screen, wherein an intermediate data supply station is connectable to the maintenance station via a communication link and is also connected to a machine data station located separately from the maintenance and data supply stations via a further communication link and is configured accordingly.The maintenance station is to provide selected augmented reality data for displaying component information and/or position in the installation environment, wherein a storage device of the said machine data station contains a large number of augmented reality and/or component data for a large number of components, from which specific augmented reality and/or component data can be selected by means of a selection mechanism based on a data set request sent by the maintenance station, and the maintenance station is configured to display the installation position of the component to be repaired in the installation environment in the displayed image on the screen depending on the augmented reality and/or component data received from the data supply station.