Remote Fixing System for Industrial Devices Using Automated Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for fixing industrial electric facilities at remote locations face challenges in effectively responding to device troubles due to the need for highly trained operators and the risk of knowledge leakage, as well as inefficiencies in training and varying operator abilities.
Innovation Solution
A fixing system comprising a server and terminal devices that communicate over a network, where the server analyzes device troubles using a know-how database and transmits selected restoration information to the terminal, allowing operators to perform instructed tasks without disclosing sensitive information, and enabling automated measurements with instruments like oscilloscopes and digital I/O.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If highly trained operators are deployed to remote locations for device maintenance, then troubleshooting effectiveness is improved, but knowledge leakage risk and training costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the troubleshooting process into multiple components: automated measurement functions, data collection, analysis, and guided instruction delivery. This allows complex maintenance tasks to be broken down into manageable steps that can be executed by operators with varying skill levels while maintaining effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the automated measurement and guidance system) that acts as a bridge between the operator and the complex device. This intermediary handles the sophisticated analysis and measurement functions, allowing operators to perform maintenance without needing deep specialized knowledge, thus preventing knowledge leakage while maintaining troubleshooting effectiveness.
2Reliability
If highly trained operators are deployed to remote locations for device maintenance, then troubleshooting effectiveness is improved, but training costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables operators to perform sophisticated maintenance tasks independently through automated guidance and measurement tools. The automated measurement unit and guidance system provide real-time instructions, allowing operators to self-service complex troubleshooting without requiring extensive prior training or expensive specialized instruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for human expertise (mechanical knowledge transfer through training) with an automated electronic system that provides measurement and guidance. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive training programs while maintaining the ability to perform effective troubleshooting.
3Adaptability or versatility
If operators with varying abilities perform maintenance tasks, then operational flexibility is improved, but working efficiency uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically measuring device states and preparing analysis results before the operator begins maintenance tasks. This pre-processing of information ensures that all operators, regardless of their initial ability level, receive standardized guidance and measurements, leading to uniform working efficiency while maintaining operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
In a fixing system, a first terminal device transmits information about a trouble in a target device to a server, receives information for restoration of the target device, and operates a measuring instrument for measurement on the target device to measure the state of the target device based on the information for restoration of the target device. The server receives the information about the trouble, and refers to a fixing know-how database to analyze the trouble. The fixing know-how database contains know-how information about fixing of the target device. The server selects information required for fixing from information for restoration specified based on a result of the analysis by a trouble analyzing unit so as to comply with a selection condition set in advance, and transmits the selected information to the first terminal device.