Electronic Platform for Modular Object Tracking and Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing and maintaining objects with replaceable components face challenges such as difficulty in identifying and sourcing replacement parts, complex repair processes, and lack of user-friendly tracking and control solutions, often leading to premature object replacement rather than modular maintenance.

Innovation Solution

An electronic platform with identifying elements and a processing system that stores and manages information about objects, allowing users to query and control components through a user device, providing access to necessary information and enabling remote management of faults and malfunctions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If objects are designed with replaceable components to reduce environmental impact and extend life, then sustainability and component reusability are improved, but difficulty in identifying and sourcing replacement components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent reusabilityVSAvoidcomponent identification information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-registers component information (identifying data, technical characteristics, brand, model) in a database before components need to be replaced. Identifying elements are attached to components during manufacturing, so when replacement is needed, users can immediately query the system without needing to search for information manually.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

An electronic platform acts as an intermediary between the physical component and the user. The platform contains a database of component information and uses identifying elements (like RFID tags or barcodes) as mediators to transfer information from the component to the user device, eliminating the need for users to manually search for component details.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If complete object replacement is performed in case of malfunction, then reliability is restored, but resource waste and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject functionalityVSAvoidcomponent waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the object into separable components, each with its own identifying element. When a malfunction occurs, the system identifies the specific faulty component through the identifying element and enables replacement of only that component rather than the entire object, allowing functional components to be reused and reducing waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables recovery of functional components by identifying them through their identifying elements. When a component fails, only the faulty component is discarded while the rest of the object and other components are preserved and can continue to be used, reducing overall resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If modular design with replaceable components is implemented, then environmental impact is reduced and component life is extended, but complexity of repair and maintenance operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent lifespanVSAvoidrepair process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to perform maintenance and repair operations independently without requiring technical manuals or expert assistance. The identifying elements automatically provide component information to the user device, which then guides the user through the replacement process, making complex modular repairs as simple as scanning a code.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Manufacturing precision

If technical manuals and assistance are required for maintenance operations, then repair accuracy is improved, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepair accuracyVSAvoidmaintenance operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides real-time feedback to the user during maintenance operations. When a component is scanned via its identifying element, the system immediately returns relevant information (technical characteristics, replacement procedures, compatibility data) to the user device, guiding the user through the process step-by-step and ensuring correct repair actions without requiring external manuals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4148634A1Electronic platform and corresponding interfacing method
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 WAY POINT SRL
  • EP4148634A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4148634A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4148634A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns an electronic platform (10) for tracking and managing objects (100) comprising one or more identifying elements (11) installed in said object (100) and a processing system (12), the electronic platform (10) being configured to comprise and/or be operatively associated with user devices (60). The invention also concerns an interfacing method for tracking and managing objects (100) by means of an electronic platform (10).