Remote Vehicle Diagnostics for Verifying Repair Sufficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle system software has limited diagnostic capabilities and is not frequently updated, leading to inadequate assessment of maintenance or repair effectiveness, potentially resulting in vehicles being returned to operation without being sufficiently maintained or repaired.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that involves collecting and communicating vehicle data from a service center to a remote diagnostic center, integrating it into a database, identifying diagnostic codes, and determining necessary maintenance operations based on these codes, utilizing historical data and potentially AI/ML techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and maintenance decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If vehicle system software is used to determine maintenance sufficiency, then maintenance decisions can be made automatically, but the diagnostic capability is limited and not frequently updated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic maintenance determinationVSAvoiddiagnostic capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

A remote diagnostic center acts as an intermediary between the vehicle system and the maintenance decision-making process. The remote diagnostic center receives vehicle data, performs comprehensive analysis using updated diagnostic tools and expertise, and provides maintenance recommendations that overcome the limitations of onboard vehicle software while maintaining automated workflow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If vehicle system software determines repair sufficiency, then the process is quick and efficient, but the vehicle may not be sufficiently maintained or repaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance processing speedVSAvoidmaintenance effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback loop where maintenance results are evaluated by comparing pre-maintenance and post-maintenance vehicle data. The remote diagnostic center analyzes whether the maintenance operations successfully resolved the identified issues, and this feedback is used to verify maintenance effectiveness before approving vehicle return to service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive diagnostic analysis is performed, then maintenance accuracy is improved, but the complexity of the diagnostic system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic accuracyVSAvoiddiagnostic system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The diagnostic system is segmented into two distinct components: a simplified onboard vehicle system that collects and transmits data, and a comprehensive remote diagnostic center that performs detailed analysis. This segmentation allows complex diagnostic capabilities to exist without increasing the complexity of the vehicle system itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4254294A1Systems and methods for evaluating repair of assets
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS LLC
  • EP4254294A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4254294A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4254294A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system may include a processor to receive vehicle data from a vehicle system at a first location and communicate the data to a second location. The processor may integrate the data into a database of diagnostic data at the second location and identify a diagnostic code that indicates an expected operation of the vehicle system or an unexpected operation. The processor may determine a maintenance operation based on the diagnostic code. A method may include receiving vehicle data from a vehicle system at a first location and communicating the vehicle data to a second location. The method may include integrating the vehicle data into a database of first diagnostic data and identifying a diagnostic code that indicates whether the vehicle data represents an expected operation of the vehicle system or an unexpected operation of the vehicle system. The method may include determining a maintenance operation based on the code.