IC-Tagged Fastener Tracking for Torque-Verified Work Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current work management systems for railway vehicle manufacturing and maintenance lack efficient visualization and tracking of processes, leading to increased man-hours and potential errors in ensuring that components are attached or detached with the correct fastening members at the right torque, which complicates the scheduling and quality control of these processes.

Innovation Solution

A work management system that utilizes IC tags on fastening members and tools connected through a network of servers and terminals, allowing real-time tracking and verification of the correct fastening members and torque usage, ensuring accurate and timely completion of manufacturing and maintenance tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If work management systems associate fastening data with tools and measuring instruments to improve traceability, then manufacturing quality and traceability are improved, but the complexity of the system increases and manual tracking remains time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovetraceabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server system performs multiple functions: storing fastening member information, managing work schedules, tracking tool usage, verifying fastening data, and generating reports. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems, improving traceability while controlling overall system complexity through integration.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically verifies fastening data by comparing actual fastening results against predetermined standards and schedules. This feedback mechanism ensures quality control and traceability without requiring manual verification, reducing the time and effort needed for quality assurance while maintaining system reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If manual tracking and verification of fastening processes are performed to ensure quality, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but man-hours and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefastening qualityVSAvoidman-hours
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening management system automatically performs verification of fastening data by comparing actual results with predetermined standards. The system self- verifies compliance without requiring manual intervention, maintaining manufacturing precision while eliminating the time-consuming aspect of manual tracking and verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with automated electronic data collection and verification. Fastening data is automatically captured and verified by the server system, substituting manual verification processes with automated computational verification, thereby maintaining precision while reducing man-hours.

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

3Reliability

If detailed tracking of each fastening process step is implemented to prevent errors, then work reliability is improved, but the ease of operation decreases due to increased documentation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework accuracyVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically captures and records fastening process data without requiring manual documentation. The automated data collection and verification processes maintain work accuracy while eliminating the burden of manual documentation, thereby preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates automatic digital copies of fastening data and process information. This automated record-keeping replaces manual documentation requirements, ensuring detailed tracking for reliability while maintaining operational simplicity by eliminating the need for manual data entry and documentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Productivity

If automated verification systems are introduced to reduce manual labor, then productivity increases, but the device complexity and initial investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidsystem infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server system performs multiple functions including data storage, schedule management, verification, and reporting within a single integrated platform. This multi-functionality increases productivity by automating multiple processes while controlling infrastructure complexity through consolidation rather than requiring multiple separate systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The automated verification system provides real-time feedback on fastening quality and compliance. This automated feedback loop increases processing efficiency by eliminating manual verification steps while the feedback mechanism itself is implemented through software logic rather than complex additional hardware, balancing productivity gains with manageable system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3425464B1Work management system and work management method
Publication Date: 2022.03.30 HITACHI LTD
  • EP3425464B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3425464B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3425464B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a work management device and a work management method, whereby progress-as-predicted for prescribed work can be readily confirmed and the number of work hours can be reduced. A work management server 7 obtains tightening information relating to a bolt, etc., (a tightening member having a first IC tag) that is tightened when attaching and removing a component (a component having a second IC tag) by using a tool 5, determines whether or not the combination of information indicated by the first IC tag and information indicated by the second IC tag, as read from this tightening information, is correct, and outputs the determination results.