Cargo Vehicle Hour Meter Data Integrity via Dual Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cargo-handling vehicles face challenges in maintaining accurate cumulative operating time records, as the hour meter data is reset to zero when the display or control unit is replaced, leading to potential falsification and loss of correct operating time data.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where two functional units with clocking devices and memory communicate data on cumulative operating time, ensuring data integrity by comparing and transferring data between units, and preventing falsification through 0-reset prohibition flags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the hour meter is combined in a speed display device and the cumulative operating time is stored in the display unit, then the device structure is simplified, but when the display unit becomes out of order and is replaced by new unit, the cumulative operating time is reset to zero and data integrity is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice structureVSAvoiddata integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the data storage function into two separate parts: the display unit (which may be replaced) and a dedicated nonvolatile memory unit (which retains data). This segmentation allows the display unit to be replaced without affecting the cumulative operating time data stored in the separate nonvolatile memory, thus maintaining data integrity while keeping the device structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a backup copy of the cumulative operating time data in a nonvolatile memory unit that is separate from the display unit. When the display unit is replaced, the data can be restored from this backup copy, ensuring that the cumulative operating time information is preserved and data integrity is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If the cumulative operating time is stored in the display unit, then data access is simplified, but when the display unit is replaced, it becomes difficult to know the correct cumulative operating time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata accessVSAvoidcumulative operating time data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a nonvolatile memory unit as an intermediary between the display unit and the cumulative operating time data. This intermediary stores the data permanently, allowing the display unit to access and display the data without being the sole holder of the information. When the display unit is replaced, the intermediary nonvolatile memory preserves the data, preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the 0-reset operation is allowed after factory shipment, then adjusting operation is flexible, but the cumulative operating time data may be falsified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjusting operationVSAvoiddata authenticity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing protection mechanisms before data falsification can occur. A flag memory unit records whether the vehicle has been shipped from the factory, and a control unit prevents the 0-reset operation from being executed after shipment. This preliminary prevention ensures that while adjusting operations remain flexible before shipment, data authenticity is protected after shipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

4Ease of repair

If the display unit and alarm display form an assembly part and the whole assembly is replaced, then repair is simplified, but the cumulative operating time data is reset to zero

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly replacementVSAvoidhour meter data

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cumulative operating time data storage function from the display assembly and places it in a separate nonvolatile memory unit. This extraction allows the display assembly (including alarm display) to be replaced as a complete unit for simplified repair, while the separated nonvolatile memory unit preserves the hour meter data independently, preventing data loss during assembly replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2296118B1Accumulated use time measuring method for cargo handling vehicle and cargo handling vehicle using the time measuring method

Publication Date: 2018.09.05 MITSUBISHI LOGISNEXT CO LTD

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AI summary

The use time till a display unit including an hour meter (a time measuring device) is replaced can be continued even if the time measuring device fails, and false alteration after shipping can be prevented while infallibly resetting the hour meter to zero when the vehicle equipped with the hour meter is shipped from the factory. The cargo handling vehicle includes a first storage device for accumulatively storing the vehicle use time measured by a first time measuring device provided in a display unit of the vehicle and a second storage device for accumulatively storing the vehicle use time measured by a second time measuring device provided in a control device. The control device allows the first and second storage devices to communicate the accumulated use times stored therein when the electric power of the vehicle is turned on. The control device compares the accumulated use times and writes the longer accumulated use time in the storage device storing the shorter one.