Server Maintenance Assembly With Robotic Part Handling Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual process of server hardware maintenance in data centers is complex, time-consuming, and prone to errors in updating asset information, such as serial numbers and bills of material, requiring a high technical skill level and leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

A device assembling system comprising a management apparatus, material apparatus, and execution apparatus that automates the assembly process, ensuring real-time updating and accuracy of part information through communication between these components, and includes a robot media handler for precise part handling and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual operations are used for server hardware maintenance, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but efficiency is low and error rates are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance efficiencyVSAvoidautomation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-service through the robot media handler that autonomously performs part removal and installation operations based on control instructions, eliminating the need for manual human intervention in routine maintenance tasks

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robot media handler system that uses controlled mechanical movements to remove and install server parts, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining operational precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If manual operations are used for server hardware maintenance, then system complexity is low, but information accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation updating accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the robot media handler and management apparatus continuously exchange information about part serial numbers, BOM updates, and maintenance status, ensuring real-time accuracy of asset information without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The management apparatus serves multiple functions including task management, information tracking, and coordination with the robot media handler, consolidating what would otherwise require separate manual processes into a single integrated system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of time

If manual operations are used for server hardware maintenance, then ease of operation is maintained, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance timeVSAvoidoperational simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-positioning parts in the material apparatus and pre-programming the robot media handler with installation instructions, allowing rapid execution of maintenance tasks without time-consuming manual preparation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robot media handler autonomously executes maintenance operations based on control instructions, eliminating the time required for manual part handling while the system self-manages the complexity of coordinated movements and information updates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4169664B1Device assembling system, method, and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4169664B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4169664B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4169664B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This application provides a device assembling system, method, and apparatus. The device assembling system includes a management apparatus (300), a material apparatus (100), and an execution apparatus (200). The management apparatus (300) is communicatively connected to the material apparatus (100) and the execution apparatus (200), and the material apparatus (100) and the execution apparatus (200) are installed into an overall structure. The management apparatus (300) is configured to obtain a maintenance task of a maintenance device. The maintenance task includes an operation type and an operation object. The management apparatus (300) parses the maintenance task into a first control instruction and a second control instruction. The material apparatus (100) receives the first control instruction, and searches for a to-be-assembled part according to the first control instruction, that is, the material apparatus (100) may determine a position of the to-be-assembled part. The execution apparatus (200) receives the second control instruction, and obtains the to-be-assembled part and assembles the to-be-assembled part to a device according to the second control instruction.