Hydrogen Station Inspection Interface for Accurate Meter Recording

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional inspection methods for hydrogen stations are prone to human error due to the complexity of recording inspection results across various devices and inspection points, leading to potential omissions or incorrect recordings, especially in densely arranged meter setups.

Innovation Solution

A portable recording apparatus that generates and displays input images with icons representing inspection points, allowing inspectors to input results directly onto corresponding windows, while also displaying circuit configuration images to ensure accurate targeting of inspection points, thereby reducing errors through visual confirmation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an inspector manually records inspection results on recording paper, then the inspection process can be completed, but human errors such as recording wrong meter values or missing inspection points occur frequently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of recording inspection resultsVSAvoidaccuracy of inspection recording
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual recording system with an electronic data processing system. The inspection results are automatically captured and stored in an electronic database, eliminating the need for manual paper recording. This substitution of mechanical writing with electronic data processing resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of operation through automated capture and high reliability through systematic electronic storage and validation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates electronic copies of inspection data from various meters and inspection points, storing them in a standardized digital format. Instead of manually transcribing data from physical meters to paper, the system automatically generates electronic copies and stores them in a database, ensuring accuracy through direct digital capture and eliminating transcription errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If meters and inspection points are densely arranged to capture all inspection details, then comprehensive inspection coverage is achieved, but the complexity of recording and the risk of error increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of inspection coverageVSAvoidcomplexity of recording system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the inspection system into distinct modular components, each corresponding to specific meters or inspection points. The database is organized with separate records for different inspection elements (pressure meters, temperature meters, leakage inspection points, etc.), allowing each to be independently managed and recorded. This segmentation reduces complexity by breaking down the dense inspection requirements into manageable, standardized units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal data structure and interface that can handle multiple types of inspection data (pressure, temperature, leakage, flow rate) through a common recording system. The standardized database schema and uniform data capture methodology allow the system to manage diverse inspection points consistently, reducing overall system complexity despite the comprehensive coverage of numerous inspection elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If an inspector manually transcribes meter readings to recording paper, then the inspection can be completed, but time is lost and errors such as recording values in wrong sections occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection completion speedVSAvoidaccuracy of data transcription
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical transcription process with automated electronic data capture. Data from meters and inspection points are directly input into the electronic database through sensors, digital readouts, or standardized input interfaces, eliminating the manual copying process entirely. This resolves the contradiction by simultaneously improving productivity through automated capture and reliability through direct digital recording without transcription errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The inspection system performs self-service data capture where the inspection equipment and meters automatically provide their data to the recording system without requiring manual transcription. The system autonomously collects, stores, and manages inspection data, freeing the inspector from repetitive transcription tasks and eliminating associated errors while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3435181B1Portable recording apparatus to be used for recording inspection result for hydrogen station
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 KOBE STEEL LTD
  • EP3435181B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3435181B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3435181B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

Present application discloses portable recording apparatus to be used for recording inspection result for hydrogen station. Recording apparatus includes image generator configured to generate input image, which is configured to receive input of inspection result, and circuit configuration image which represents part of circuit configuration in hydrogen station; display portion configured to display input image and circuit configuration image; and storage in which inspection result is stored, inspection result having been input by using input image which is displayed on display portion. Input image shows icons representing predetermined inspection points in hydrogen station, respectively, and input windows displayed in correspondence to inspection points, respectively. When one of inspection points displayed on display portion is designated under operation for one of icons, image generator generates circuit configuration image so that designated inspection point is displayed on display portion as part of circuit configuration.