Task Schedule Creation for Railroad Vehicle Inspection Constraints

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current task scheduling methods for railroad vehicles, such as train inspections, often require manual adjustments to cyclic schedules, which fail to accommodate individual vehicle restrictions and cannot efficiently allocate tasks based on varying vehicle states.

Innovation Solution

A task schedule creation apparatus that includes a task schedule creator, which generates schedules based on restriction conditions such as the number of task implementations per unit period and the length of the period between tasks, using input devices for schedule conditions, capacity information, cycle information, and operation information to optimize task allocation across vehicles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a cyclic schedule is created for all vehicles, then scheduling efficiency is improved, but individual vehicle restrictions cannot be satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling efficiencyVSAvoidindividual vehicle restriction satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the scheduling problem into two levels: first creates a common cyclic schedule template applicable to all vehicles, then individually adjusts the schedule for each vehicle based on its specific restrictions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain overall scheduling efficiency while accommodating individual vehicle requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing each vehicle to have customized schedule parameters (such as different inspection intervals, maintenance requirements, or operational constraints) while following the same overall cyclic schedule structure. This enables individual vehicle restrictions to be satisfied without compromising the global scheduling framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual correction of cyclic schedule is performed, then individual vehicle restrictions can be satisfied, but scheduling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual vehicle restriction satisfactionVSAvoidscheduling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by automatically generating the common cyclic schedule template and pre-calculating the individual vehicle adjustments before final schedule implementation. This preliminary automated processing reduces the need for manual correction while ensuring individual restrictions are satisfied from the outset.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically adjusting individual vehicle schedules based on their specific restrictions without requiring manual intervention. The scheduling system itself performs the customization, eliminating the need for manual correction and maintaining high scheduling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If task schedule is created without considering capacity restrictions, then scheduling flexibility is improved, but feasibility of task allocation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidtask allocation feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the schedule adaptable to capacity restrictions through automatic adjustment mechanisms. The system dynamically modifies task allocation based on real-time capacity information, maintaining scheduling flexibility while ensuring feasibility constraints are met.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring capacity restrictions and using this information to adjust the task schedule. The system receives feedback on capacity availability and automatically modifies allocations to ensure feasibility, maintaining both flexibility and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3792844A1Task schedule creation apparatus, task schedule creation method, and computer program
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 KK TOSHIBA
  • EP3792844A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792844A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3792844A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

According to one approach, a task schedule creation apparatus includes a task schedule creator configured to create a task schedule including a plurality of tasks for a target task based on a first restriction condition concerning a number of times of implementation of a task per unit period and a second restriction condition concerning length of a period between the tasks.