Vehicle Configuration Management System for Lifecycle Discrepancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for managing the configuration of complex objects, such as aircraft, struggle with reconciling different bills of materials across various phases of their lifecycle, leading to inefficiencies and increased time and resources required for detecting discrepancies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that compares data sets representing the configuration of a vehicle structure at different lifecycle phases, identifying differences in component identifications and recording dispositions, utilizing a computer system to manage and reconcile these differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different bills of materials are created at different times using different systems, then the object can be managed through various lifecycle phases, but detecting discrepancies between the bills of materials becomes more time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computer system as an intermediary that automatically compares data sets from different bills of materials. The system includes a comparison module that reconciles engineering bills of materials with manufacturing bills of materials, identifying discrepancies automatically rather than requiring manual comparison by personnel.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical comparison processes with automated computer-based data set comparison. The system uses software to automatically reconcile different bills of materials, substituting human effort and manual procedures with automated computational processes that are faster and more efficient.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different bills of materials are created using different systems with different formats and data types, then the object configuration can be represented across various phases, but the complexity of reconciling these bills of materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal comparison system that can handle multiple data formats and types. The computer system is designed to reconcile engineering bills of materials with manufacturing bills of materials that may be in different formats, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various data representations across different lifecycle phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms and standardizes parameters from different data formats during the comparison process. The computer system adjusts and reconciles different data types and formats by changing parameters to a common standard, enabling automatic comparison despite initial format differences.
3Ease of operation
If manual methods are used to reconcile bills of materials, then flexibility in handling different scenarios is maintained, but the process requires more time, effort, and resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automated system where the computer system performs the reconciliation process independently without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically compares data sets, identifies discrepancies, and generates reports, freeing personnel from manual reconciliation tasks while maintaining the ability to handle various scenarios through programmed logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for managing a configuration of a vehicle structure. Data sets are compared each representing the configuration of the vehicle structure at different phases in a lifecycle of the vehicle structure. Each of the data sets includes identifications of components for the vehicle structure. Differences are identified between the identifications of the components in the data sets.