Dynamic Maintenance Scheduling for Earthmoving Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current maintenance scheduling systems for earthmoving machines do not effectively account for early or late completion of planned maintenance services, lacking flexibility in adjusting schedules accordingly.

Innovation Solution

A computing device and telematics system that allow operators to input work hours and display rationalization options for adjusting maintenance schedules, including options to shift or add maintenance services based on early or late completion, enabling flexible rescheduling of subsequent maintenance tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If maintenance services are scheduled based on fixed working hour intervals, then maintenance planning is simplified and easier to manage, but the system cannot adapt to early or late completion of maintenance services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance schedulingVSAvoidschedule adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance scheduling system transitions from static fixed intervals to dynamic adaptive scheduling. The system automatically calculates adjusted intervals based on actual maintenance completion timing, allowing the schedule to adapt dynamically whether maintenance is completed early or late, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring actual maintenance completion times and using this information to recalculate and adjust subsequent maintenance intervals. This closed-loop feedback enables the system to adapt to variations in maintenance completion while maintaining overall schedule integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If maintenance is performed early or late relative to the scheduled interval, then operational flexibility is improved, but the original maintenance schedule becomes inaccurate and requires recalculation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance timing flexibilityVSAvoidschedule accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the time interval parameter dynamically based on actual maintenance completion. When maintenance is completed early or late, the system recalculates the remaining interval and adjusts subsequent maintenance timing, thereby maintaining schedule accuracy while accommodating operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary calculations of adjusted maintenance intervals in advance, preparing recalculation options before maintenance deviations occur. This allows for smooth transitions and maintains scheduling precision even when maintenance timing varies from the original plan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If a fixed maintenance interval is used without adjustment, then schedule simplicity is maintained, but early or late maintenance completion cannot be accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescheduling systemVSAvoidmaintenance timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The maintenance scheduling system performs self-adjustment by automatically detecting maintenance completion timing and recalculating subsequent intervals without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability maintains timing accuracy while keeping the system relatively simple, as the adjustment logic is embedded within the existing scheduling framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11200544B2Interval rationalization for completed maintenance services

Publication Date: 2021.12.14 CATERPILLAR INC

AI summary

A computing device for scheduling maintenance services for an earthmoving machine is disclosed. The computing device includes an input device configured to receive work hour input associated with work operations of the earthmoving machine and a visual display on board the earthmoving machine. The computing device further includes a processor configured to execute instructions for receiving the work hour input from the input device and determining current work hours associated with a completed maintenance service of the earthmoving machine based on the work hour input. The processor is further configured to execute instructions for presenting a user of the earthmoving machine, via the visual display, with one or more service interval rationalization options based on the current work hours and scheduling one or more subsequent planned maintenance services based on the one or more service interval rationalization options.