Test Instrument Service Interval Calculation for Calibration Alerts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Test and measurement devices lack a reliable method for users and service personnel to determine when service checks, such as calibration, are due, leading to rough estimations and potential misuse or neglect of maintenance.

Innovation Solution

Integration of an active service check calculation unit within the test and measurement device that retrieves and processes service data to automatically calculate maintenance times, eliminating the need for manual input and providing notifications to users and service personnel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual tracking of service intervals is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of maintenance scheduling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance scheduling reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The test and measurement device automatically tracks its own usage data and calculates service interval status without external intervention. The device reads usage data from its own internal meters and determines whether service is due, eliminating the need for manual tracking while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The device provides feedback to the user about its service status by comparing current usage data against the service interval. This feedback mechanism automatically informs users when maintenance is due, improving reliability without requiring complex external systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automatic service interval calculation is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice check efficiencyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device independently calculates its own service interval status using its built-in usage meters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual tracking by users or service personnel, significantly improving service check efficiency while adding minimal complexity since the device already possesses the necessary measurement capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If internal meters are used for usage tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of information occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusage measurement precisionVSAvoidusage information availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The device provides feedback to the user about its service status by comparing current usage data against the service interval. This ensures that the precise measurement data collected by internal meters is communicated to the user, preventing information loss and enabling informed decisions about maintenance timing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11578973B2Method for automatically notifying an intended person as well as a test and measurement device

Publication Date: 2023.02.14 ROHDE & SCHWARZ GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A method for automatically notifying an intended person of a service interval of a test and measurement device by using the test and measurement device is described, wherein service data is received by the test and measurement device. The service data is processed internally. A time for maintenance is calculated automatically based on the service data retrieved. Further, a test and measurement device is described.