Predictive Failure Reporting for Image Forming Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the predictive failure state of image forming apparatuses provide only two-valued information, lacking the ability to assess the size of failure risk, which hinders tailored maintenance services based on individual user situations.
Innovation Solution
A predictive failure reporting system that acquires internal information, determines the predictive failure state, calculates the failure risk, and reports the determination result, enabling users to grasp the urgency of maintenance and optimize maintenance timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular maintenance is performed based on two-valued predictive failure information, then maintenance can be performed before failure occurs, but the number of parts replacements increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the two-valued predictive failure information into multi-valued failure risk information by introducing a risk level parameter. The failure risk determination unit calculates a quantitative failure risk value and classifies it into multiple levels (e.g., high, medium, low risk), enabling differentiated maintenance scheduling that optimizes both reliability and productivity.
2Ease of operation
If only two-valued predictive failure information is provided, then the determination process is simple, but appropriate maintenance service according to individual user situations cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic failure risk assessment mechanism that adapts to individual user situations. The system determines failure risk based on device-specific internal information and operational patterns, providing customized maintenance recommendations that evolve with the device's actual condition and usage characteristics.
3Loss of time
If early maintenance is performed to avoid downtime, then downtime is reduced, but spare available time of parts is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial maintenance action based on failure risk levels. Instead of performing full maintenance whenever a predictive failure is detected, the system performs maintenance only when the failure risk exceeds a threshold or reaches a critical level. This partial action approach reduces unnecessary maintenance while still preventing downtime when truly needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A determining unit determines whether the printer is in the predictive failure state based on the internal information of the printer acquired by the information acquiring unit. A failure risk computing unit performs a failure risk determination process for determining the size of failure risk of the printer when the printer is in the predictive failure state. The determination result is reported to a maintenance person or a user. In this way, the maintenance person or the user who receives the report can definitely grasp a degree of urgency of maintenance at that point.