Parallel Maintenance Execution in Automated Analysis Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated analysis devices require prolonged maintenance times due to sequential processing of multiple maintenance items, reducing efficiency despite the capability to perform them in parallel.

Innovation Solution

An automated analysis system with a terminal device that includes a display unit, operation unit, and control unit, which selects and executes multiple maintenance items in parallel by referencing a maintenance processing table to identify and display parallel processing items, allowing simultaneous execution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If maintenance items are executed in sequential order according to preset rules, then the execution order is organized and manageable, but the total maintenance time becomes excessively long

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance execution efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic maintenance execution by allowing the maintenance plan to adapt and change during execution. The control unit dynamically identifies and executes maintenance items that can be performed in parallel, rather than strictly following a predetermined sequential order. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to optimize maintenance time by concurrently executing compatible maintenance tasks while maintaining organized execution through centralized control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous useful action during maintenance by identifying and executing maintenance items that can be performed in parallel without interruption. Instead of stopping analysis operations for sequential maintenance, the system continuously performs useful maintenance actions alongside analysis work, maximizing the utilization of available time and reducing overall maintenance downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Ease of operation

If multiple maintenance items are processed sequentially, then the execution control is simple and straightforward, but the processing time becomes long and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance execution controlVSAvoidmaintenance processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a control unit as an intermediary that manages the complexity of parallel maintenance execution. This control unit acts as a mediator between the maintenance plan and the actual maintenance operations, automatically identifying which maintenance items can be executed in parallel and coordinating their execution. This intermediary approach maintains ease of operation for users while enabling high-efficiency parallel processing behind the scenes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the execution parameter from strictly sequential to parallel by modifying how maintenance items are scheduled and executed. The control unit adjusts the execution parameters of maintenance tasks, allowing multiple items to run concurrently when their parameters indicate compatibility. This parameter change transforms the maintenance execution model from simple sequential processing to efficient parallel processing while maintaining operational simplicity through automated parameter management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3779458B1Automated analysis system
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP3779458B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3779458B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3779458B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Maintenance time for an automated analysis device is reduced by executing a plurality of maintenance items in parallel. An automated analysis system 10 is provided with an automated analysis device 11 and a terminal device 38. The automated analysis system 11 measures a sample. The terminal device 38 includes a display unit 32, an operation unit 32, and a control unit provided in a computer 30. The display unit 32 displays maintenance items for maintaining the automated analysis device 11. The operation unit 31 selects one or more of the maintenance items displayed on the display unit 32. The control unit controls the automated analysis device 11 to execute in parallel all the maintenance items selected by the operation unit 31.