Vacuum Device Optical Coding for Complete Remote Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vacuum devices require cumbersome and error-prone manual data acquisition for remote diagnostics, often leading to incomplete or corrupted diagnostic data transmission due to complex equipment needs and security concerns.

Innovation Solution

A vacuum pump designed to generate and transmit all diagnostic data in a secure, optically coded format for remote analysis, eliminating the need for on-site interaction and ensuring complete, unadulterated data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual data acquisition methods are used for remote diagnostics, then data can be retrieved from the vacuum device, but the process becomes cumbersome and error-prone, leading to incomplete or corrupted diagnostic data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata integrityVSAvoiddata acquisition process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum device automatically generates and transmits diagnostic data without requiring manual intervention. The device self-services by collecting, formatting, and sending its own diagnostic information to remote locations, eliminating the need for operators to manually acquire and transcribe data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data acquisition methods with automated electronic data transmission. Instead of physically reading displays and transcribing data, the system uses electronic interfaces and communication protocols to automatically transfer diagnostic data to remote locations.

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

2Loss of information

If complex special electronic readout systems are used to retrieve extended diagnostic data, then complete diagnostic information can be obtained, but the device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of diagnostic dataVSAvoidreadout system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum device incorporates a multi-functional interface that serves both normal operational control and comprehensive diagnostic data retrieval. This universal interface can handle both routine user interactions and detailed diagnostic data extraction without requiring separate specialized equipment.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication interface as an intermediary between the vacuum device and remote diagnostic systems. This interface acts as a mediator that translates internal device data into transmittable formats, enabling complete data retrieval through standard communication channels rather than complex direct access systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If diagnostic data is displayed on-site for manual reading and transcription, then data can be viewed, but reading errors and data corruption risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual visual reading and transcription processes with automated electronic data transmission. The system electronically extracts and transmits diagnostic data directly from the device memory to remote locations, eliminating human reading errors and transcription mistakes.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates accurate digital copies of diagnostic data directly from the device's internal storage and transmits these copies to remote locations. This ensures that the transmitted data is an exact replica of the stored diagnostic information, preventing corruption that occurs during manual copying processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

4Adaptability or versatility

If extended data retrieval modes are made available to users, then comprehensive diagnostic data can be accessed, but security concerns and user training requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata retrieval capabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vacuum device automatically manages the complexity of data retrieval by self-configuring and self-transmitting diagnostic data. Users simply need to initiate a diagnostic request, and the device handles all subsequent complex operations including data collection, formatting, and transmission without requiring users to understand complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the diagnostic data structure and transmission protocols within the device. All complex data organization and formatting is done in advance by the device itself, so when data retrieval is needed, the process is already prepared and requires minimal user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3096021B2Remote diagnosis of vacuum devices
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 PFEIFFER VACUUM GMBH
  • EP3096021B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3096021B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vacuum device comprises a device for generating a set of diagnostic data suitable for analysis at a remote analysis location, a retrieval device by means of which the provision of the set of diagnostic data can be initiated, and a provisioning device configured to provide the set of diagnostic data as a whole for transmission to the remote analysis location. The invention also relates to a method for remote diagnostics of such a vacuum device.