Automated Damage Assessment System for Vehicle Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current damage assessment and reporting methods for structures, such as vehicles, are inefficient due to delays caused by remote communication with engineering resources, vulnerability to human error, and lack of effective automated diagnosis, especially in scenarios with complex damage characterization.
Innovation Solution
A damage assessment system comprising a damage reporting module, an automated analysis module, and a repair data module that enables efficient damage identification, assessment, and reporting through user-friendly graphical interfaces, automated analysis, and historical data retrieval, using keywords for standardized input and finite element analysis for structural damage evaluation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated failure diagnosis is implemented using on-board computers and error codes, then diagnostic speed and accuracy are improved, but it becomes impractical for systems with a large number of damage scenarios that are not easily automatically characterized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of portable computing devices and communication networks that mediate between the remote damage site and engineering resources. This intermediary enables automated analysis capabilities at remote locations without requiring full automation of the diagnosis system, thus maintaining adaptability for complex scenarios while improving diagnostic speed through automated initial assessment and data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes of damage assessment with automated electronic systems including portable computers, digital cameras, and communication networks. These electronic systems automatically collect, transmit, and analyze damage data, substituting the mechanical interaction between maintainers and engineering resources with automated information flow, thereby improving productivity while maintaining versatility through flexible software-based analysis.
2Measurement precision
If multiple back-and-forth communications are conducted between on-site personnel and off-site engineering resources, then accurate damage assessment is achieved, but significant delays occur in the vehicle's return to service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by enabling automated damage analysis and preliminary disposition determination to occur immediately at the remote location using portable computing devices. Engineering resources can perform initial assessments, retrieve historical data, and provide preliminary recommendations before the vehicle is returned to service, eliminating the need for multiple back-and-forth communications and significantly reducing vehicle downtime while maintaining assessment accuracy.
3Ease of operation
If traditional communication methods such as telephone and email are used to convey damage information, then flexibility and ease of use are maintained, but vulnerability to human error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the damage assessment system to automatically collect, validate, and transmit data without human intervention in the communication process. Portable computing devices automatically capture damage information, attach relevant photos, and transmit structured data through standardized protocols, eliminating manual data entry and reducing human error while maintaining ease of operation through user-friendly interfaces.
4Quantity of substance
If damage information is retained in existing schemes such as printed emails or server storage, then data preservation is achieved, but the information becomes difficult to obtain and interpret
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a multi-functional damage assessment system that combines data collection, storage, analysis, and retrieval capabilities in a unified platform. The system stores damage information in standardized digital formats that can be easily accessed, searched, and interpreted across different devices and locations, enabling both data preservation and easy accessibility simultaneously through universal data standards and interfaces.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and techniques to assess damage. A damage reporting module (101) may allow a user to provide information indicative of a damage description and damage location. The damage reporting module may create a data object based on the information. The data object may be used to compare the damage event to one or more historical damage events. The data object may be used in an analysis module (103) to automatically determine disposition information (e.g., repair information)