Trailer Repair Request Processing System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carriers are often financially responsible for trailer repairs that should have been handled by the trailer leasing agency, leading to unfair costs due to lack of efficient repair request processing systems.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers to trailer domicile facilities, utilizing a central computing device with a graphical interface for submitting repair requests, generating invoices, and transmitting alerts and notifications for approval, ensuring proper allocation of repair responsibilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carriers repair trailers at domicile facilities before return, then repair quality and timing improve, but carriers face unfair financial costs for repairs that should be leasing agency responsibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair completion reliabilityVSAvoidcarrier financial loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a trailer leasing agency as an intermediary between carriers and repair facilities. The agency receives repair requests from carriers, manages the repair process at domicile facilities, and handles financial settlements. This intermediary role ensures carriers receive timely repairs while preventing unfair financial burdens, as the agency coordinates with both carriers and facilities to determine proper responsibility allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables carriers to submit repair requests before returning trailers to the leasing agency. This preliminary action allows repairs to be completed during the carrier's possession of the trailer, ensuring the trailer is in proper condition for return while avoiding post-return repair disputes and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If repair requests are processed manually after trailer return, then administrative complexity is reduced, but repair timing and financial responsibility allocation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair processing system complexityVSAvoidrepair timing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system requires carriers to submit repair requests before returning trailers to the leasing agency. This preliminary submission enables the agency to process repairs during the carrier's possession period, ensuring timely completion and proper financial allocation before the trailer changes hands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the leasing agency communicates with carriers regarding repair request status, approval, and financial responsibility determination. This continuous feedback loop ensures transparent communication and timely resolution of repair issues without requiring complex post-return administrative processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If carriers are responsible for all repairs during lease period, then repair accountability improves, but fairness and cost allocation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepair accountabilityVSAvoidunfair cost allocation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The trailer leasing agency serves as an intermediary that objectively determines financial responsibility for repairs. The agency receives repair requests from carriers, coordinates with domicile facilities, and makes fair decisions about who should pay based on lease terms and repair circumstances, preventing unfair cost allocation while maintaining accountability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to carriers about repair approval status and financial responsibility determinations. This transparent communication allows carriers to understand why they are or are not responsible for specific repair costs, ensuring fair and accountable cost allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11783303B2Systems and methods for processing trailer repair requests submitted by carriers

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 WALMART APOLLO LLC

AI summary

In some embodiments, methods and systems are provided for facilitating submission of repair requests by carriers having to repair trailers to domicile facilities associated with the trailers. A central computing device provides a first graphical interface accessible by a computing device of a carrier having to repair a trailer in order to permit the carrier to submit a repair request indicating repair needed for the trailer. The central computing device then generates an invoice for the repair to the trailer directed to a domicile facility associated with the trailer. The central computing device also transmits an alert including the invoice to a computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, receives a response from the computing device of the domicile facility associated with the trailer, and transmits a notification indicating whether the repair request has been approved by the domicile facility associated with the trailer.