Remote Maintenance Network for Defective Device Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing maintenance systems face significant burdens and costs when collecting and replacing defective devices or apparatuses, especially those located overseas, which disrupt continuous service provision due to complex procedures and long lead times.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance system utilizing a computer network between a maintenance company and a manufacturer to diagnose defects, request replacements, and manage warranty periods, allowing for efficient replacement without physically collecting the defective device, by sharing operation information and managing replacement logistics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the maintenance company ships the defective device from the maintenance site to the manufacturer for replacement, then the device can be replaced with a functioning unit, but the procedures and costs become significant especially when located overseas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the replacement process into two independent parts: (1) shipping the defective device to the manufacturer, and (2) receiving the replacement device. By segmenting these processes, the patent allows the replacement device to be shipped directly to the maintenance site without requiring the defective device to be brought back, thereby simplifying the overall procedure and reducing costs while maintaining service continuity.
2Reliability
If the maintenance company ships the defective device overseas to the manufacturer, then the replacement can be processed, but the lead time becomes significant which obstructs continuous service provision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the manufacturer prepare and ship the replacement device to the maintenance site in advance, before the defective device is returned. This allows the replacement device to be ready and waiting at the maintenance site, significantly reducing the lead time and enabling continuous service provision without interruption.
3Ease of manufacture
If the maintenance company collects the defective device from the maintenance site, then the manufacturer can process the replacement, but the burden and cost of collection become significant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the collection burden from the maintenance company by allowing the manufacturer to directly receive the defective device at their facility without requiring the maintenance company to physically transport it. This extraction of the collection step significantly reduces the energy loss and costs associated with device retrieval while still enabling the manufacturer to process the replacement.
Data Source
AI summary
A maintenance company has and manages a first computer and a second computer, and a manufacturer has and manages a third computer. A processor of the first computer receives operation information for a defect of the object to be maintained output from the object to be maintained and transmits the received operation information to the third computer of the manufacturer.A processor of the third computer stores the operation information in a memory, and the second computer transmits replacement request information for requesting a replacement for the object to be maintained to the third computer of the manufacturer based on a request received from the first computer. The processor of the third computer approves an application for the replacement for the object to be maintained, in which the defect has occurred, when the operation information stored in the memory matches the replacement request information received from the second computer.