Manufacturing History Matching Using Internal Void Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing history management systems face challenges in maintaining traceability of product manufacturing history as surface-marked product management codes can be lost due to external damage or deterioration, leading to inadequate management of product history.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing history management system that generates and stores data by associating internal void information specific to a product with a product identification code, allowing for the extraction of manufacturing history data using internal void information acquired at different timings, eliminating the need for surface-marked codes and ensuring accurate data retrieval even if the product surface is damaged.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a product management code is marked on the surface of the product, then the manufacturing history can be managed, but the code may be lost due to external force or deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraceability reliabilityVSAvoidproduct management code loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses X-ray CT imaging to create a digital copy of the internal void structure, which serves as an immutable identifier. Instead of relying on surface markings that can be damaged, the system creates and stores a digital replica of the product's internal characteristics, ensuring the identification information is preserved even if the physical product is damaged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional surface markings to three-dimensional internal structure utilization. By using X-ray CT to capture the internal void distribution in 3D space, the system moves the identification medium from the vulnerable surface to the protected interior, adding a spatial dimension that enhances reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If surface marking methods are used, then product identification is simple, but the identification information becomes vulnerable to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking simplicityVSAvoidsurface damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical surface marking methods (stamping, engraving, labeling) with a non-contact X-ray CT imaging system. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact with the product surface during identification, avoiding mechanical damage while maintaining ease of implementation through automated imaging and data processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces X-ray CT imaging as an intermediary between the product and the identification system. Instead of directly marking the product surface, the system uses X-rays to penetrate and capture internal structure information, creating an indirect but more reliable identification method that avoids surface damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If internal void information is used for identification, then traceability reliability is improved, but measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing history traceabilityVSAvoidinternal void measurement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the product's internal void structure to serve itself as the identification medium. The natural variations in void distribution, which are inherent to each product's manufacturing process, are automatically captured by X-ray CT and used for traceability without requiring additional markers or complex external identification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the measurement approach by changing from surface-level parameters to internal three-dimensional parameters. By utilizing the spatial coordinates and volume characteristics of internal voids captured through X-ray CT, the system converts complex internal structure data into reliable identification parameters that reflect manufacturing history.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11593928B2Manufacturing history management system and manufacturing history management method

Publication Date: 2023.02.28 TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK

AI summary

A manufacturing history management system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a data generation unit, a data storage unit, and a data extraction unit. The data generation unit generates manufacturing history data by associating internal void information specific to a product and manufacturing history information of the product with a product identification code. The data storage unit stores the manufacturing history data relating to a plurality of the products generated by the data generation unit. The data extraction unit checks the internal void information of the manufacturing history data of the plurality of products stored in the data storage unit against the internal void information of a predetermined product and extracts the manufacturing history data that matches the internal void information of the predetermined product from the manufacturing history data of the plurality of products stored in the data storage unit.