Mobile Work Machine Diagnostic Software Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for diagnosing errors in mobile work machines require service technicians to manage multiple software versions and types, leading to complexity, errors, and significant organizational and development efforts for updating and distributing diagnostic software.

Innovation Solution

Diagnostic software is pre-installed on mobile working machines during manufacturing, matching the specific type and version of the control software, allowing for direct download and use on a service computer, eliminating the need for multiple software versions and updates on the technician's device, and enabling remote access for maintenance and updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple versions of diagnostic software are stored on the service computer for different mobile working machine types and control software versions, then comprehensive diagnostic capability is achieved, but device complexity and organizational effort increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic software compatibilityVSAvoidsoftware management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the version-specific diagnostic software from the service computer and stores it directly in the storage means of the mobile working machine itself. The service computer only needs to download and execute the appropriate software version from the machine's storage, eliminating the need to maintain a library of multiple software versions on the service computer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The storage means of the mobile working machine acts as an intermediary, holding the version-specific diagnostic software that matches the control software version. This intermediary storage location allows the service computer to access the correct software version without needing to manage multiple versions itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the interface of test and diagnostic software is changed during production to enable innovation and adaptation, then adaptability improves, but reliability of software version matching deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware update capabilityVSAvoidsoftware version compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic software is pre-configured to match the control software version at the time of mobile working machine production. The software version compatibility is established in advance, before the service technician uses it, ensuring that the correct version is always used without requiring manual selection or verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The service computer automatically identifies the control software version of the mobile working machine and uses this information to download the corresponding diagnostic software version from the storage means. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct software version is always selected without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If updated versions of diagnostic software are distributed to service computers after mobile working machine developments, then software currency is maintained, but productivity and time efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoftware currencyVSAvoidupdate distribution efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The service computer automatically downloads the required diagnostic software version directly from the storage means of the mobile working machine during the diagnostic process. This self-service approach eliminates the need for manual software updates and distribution to service computers, as the software is obtained on-demand from the machine itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Measurement precision

If correct software version selection is mandatory to avoid errors, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoidsoftware selection simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The service computer automatically identifies the control software version of the mobile working machine through the interface connection and uses this feedback information to automatically select and download the matching diagnostic software version. This eliminates manual software version selection entirely, making the process as simple as connecting the service computer to the machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2503515B9Vehicle diagnosis method for mobile work machines
Publication Date: 2017.08.02 STILL GMBH
  • EP2503515B9 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The method involves connecting a service computer (7) e.g. notebook computer with an interface (9) of working machine (2) through a data cable (8). The diagnostic software is stored in memory unit of working machine by service computer. The service computer is controlled by an employee in the factory, through a wireless remote data link (14). An independent claim is included for mobile working vehicle.