Automatic Repair Cycles for Functional Units in Redundant Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for maintaining and repairing automated systems, such as autonomously operated vehicles, often require components to be taken offline until maintenance can be performed, leading to reduced operational reliability and safety, especially in redundant systems where failed components cannot be actively repaired during operation.
Innovation Solution
A method for automatically detecting faulty components, assigning error states with prioritization, and executing specific repair cycles while the system is operational, allowing for active repair and reactivation of components without requiring manual intervention or downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If components are taken offline for maintenance and repair, then repair quality and system safety are improved, but operational reliability and productivity deteriorate due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary diagnostics and repair actions before faults fully develop or while the system is still operational. Detection units continuously monitor functional units and initiate repair cycles proactively, preventing complete failures and avoiding downtime by addressing issues in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated repair system enables the system to repair itself without external intervention. The control unit automatically executes repair cycles based on detected fault conditions, and the system self-activates functional units after repair, eliminating the need for manual shutdown and maintenance personnel intervention.
2Ease of repair
If manual maintenance and repair processes are used, then repair thoroughness is improved, but maintenance time and operational downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical maintenance processes with automated electronic and software-based systems. Detection units, control units, and automated repair mechanisms eliminate the need for manual inspection and physical repair interventions, significantly reducing maintenance time while maintaining or improving repair quality through consistent automated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors functional units and provides real-time feedback to the control unit. When faults are detected, the system automatically adjusts operational parameters or activates repair cycles based on the feedback, enabling rapid response and minimizing maintenance time through closed-loop control.
3Reliability
If redundant hardware systems are implemented for safety, then system safety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of permanently deactivating faulty redundant components, the system repairs and recovers them for continued use. The automated repair process restores functional units to operational status, allowing them to remain part of the redundant safety system, thereby maintaining safety while reducing the need for additional spare components.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for performing an automatic repair process on a functional unit (2) of a base unit (1), in which the following steps are carried out: - Detection of a faulty state of the functional unit (2) with a detection unit (5) (S1); - Determination of a type of functional unit (2) with an evaluation unit (7) (S2); - Assignment of the functional unit (2) to a fault case type class (9) characterizing the determined type of functional unit (2), wherein at least two fault states (11) are assigned to a fault case type class (9) (S3), which are prioritized in a priority order, with each fault state (11) being assigned a repair cycle (S4); - Selection of a first fault state (F1) of the at least two fault states (11) with the highest priority (S8); - Execution of the repair cycle assigned to the selected first fault state (F1) on the functional unit (2) (S8);- Assessing the current repair status of the functional unit (2) after completion of the repair cycle performed for the first fault state (F1) (S10). The invention further relates to a computer program product and a repair system (3).