Mobile VCI for Vehicle Data Transfer Between Workstations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle diagnostic and repair processes in workshops are inefficient due to the need for repeated vehicle identification and data collection at multiple workstations, leading to manual errors and increased time and cost, especially in the absence of a workshop network.
Innovation Solution
A mobile communication interface is used to store and manage vehicle-specific data, including identification and diagnostic information, which is carried with the vehicle throughout the workshop, allowing for seamless communication and data exchange between workstations without the need for a complex IT network, using a VCI that connects to the vehicle and stores data for all diagnostic and repair steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a universal diagnostic tester is passed on from workplace to workplace, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to repeated vehicle identification and data collection
Solution Approach 1:
The VCI performs preliminary actions by storing vehicle identification data and diagnostic data in its internal memory before the vehicle moves between workstations. This preliminary data collection and storage eliminates the need for repeated identification processes at each workstation, resolving the contradiction between simplified device operation and time efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If vehicle identification and data collection are performed at each workstation, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity decreases due to manual input errors and repeated work
Solution Approach 1:
The VCI creates a digital copy of the vehicle's identification data and diagnostic information stored in its memory. This copy can be rapidly accessed and transmitted to multiple workstations without requiring repeated physical connection or manual data entry, thereby maintaining measurement precision while significantly improving productivity.
3Loss of information
If a workshop network is implemented for data exchange, then loss of information is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The VCI acts as an intermediary device with built-in memory storage capabilities. It directly carries and transmits vehicle data between workstations and the central customer database, eliminating the need for a complex workshop network infrastructure while preventing information loss through its self-contained storage system.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for identifying, diagnosing, servicing, and repairing a vehicle (10) in a garage, comprising the steps of: saving customer, vehicle, and job-sheet data which pertain to said vehicle (10), out of a central customer databank and into a working data storage-device (18) of a mobile communications interface (1); connecting the mobile communications interface (1) to said vehicle (10) and connecting a first vehicle testing device (3a) at least to said mobile communications interface (1), at a first work station (41); reading the customer, vehicle, and job-sheet data out of the working data storage-device (18) of the mobile communications interface (1) and into the control computer (32a) of the first vehicle testing device (3a); carrying out first tests on the vehicle (10) using the first vehicle testing device (3a) and/or the mobile communications interface (1); saving the first test results into the working data storage-device (18) of the mobile communications interface (1) by means of the first vehicle testing device (3a); disconnecting the first vehicle testing device (3a) from the vehicle (10); connecting a second vehicle testing device (3b) to said vehicle (10) and reading the customer, vehicle, and job-sheet data, as well as the first test results, out of the working data storage-device (18) of the mobile communications interface (1) and into the second vehicle testing device (3b), at a second work station (42); carrying out, on the basis of the first test results, second tests on the vehicle (10) using the second vehicle testing device (3b) and/or the mobile communications interface (1) that is connected to the vehicle (10); saving the second test results into the working data storage-device (18) of the mobile communications interface (1) by means of the second vehicle testing device (3b); and reading the customer, vehicle, and job-sheet data, as well as the first and second test results of the vehicle (10), out of the working data storage-device (18) of the mobile communications interface (1) and into the central customer databank.