Diagnostic Flowchart Updating for Vehicle Repair Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians face inefficiencies in diagnosing and repairing vehicle issues due to the time-consuming process of contacting technical assistants, as they need to explain vehicle details, symptoms, and diagnosis steps over phone calls, leading to decreased work output and redundant efforts across similar vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involve a computing server, diagnostic computing device, and technical assistance computing device, where a diagnostic flowchart is sent to the technician, with vehicle condition data collected and feedback provided, allowing for real-time assistance and updating of the flowchart for improved future diagnostics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians contact technical assistants via phone calls to diagnose vehicle issues, then they can obtain expert guidance and resolve complex problems, but the time required for each diagnosis increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-provides comprehensive diagnostic flowcharts and technical documentation to technicians before they need them. The diagnostic flowchart is automatically generated and presented to the technician at the beginning of the diagnostic process, containing pre-organized diagnostic steps, troubleshooting procedures, and repair instructions that would otherwise require time-consuming consultation with technical assistants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer-based diagnostic support system as an intermediary between technicians and technical assistants. This intermediary (comprising a processor, display device, and stored diagnostic flowcharts) mediates the diagnostic process by providing automated guidance and filtering cases that truly require human expert intervention, thereby reducing unnecessary phone calls while maintaining diagnosis accuracy.
2Reliability
If technicians spend time explaining vehicle details and symptoms over phone calls, then they can receive accurate diagnostic guidance, but their work output and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables technicians to independently access and follow diagnostic flowcharts without requiring assistance from technical assistants for routine diagnoses. The diagnostic flowchart provides self-contained guidance including diagnostic steps, decision trees, and repair procedures that technicians can execute autonomously, thereby maintaining diagnostic accuracy while significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Comprehensive diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting guidance are prepared in advance and stored in the system's memory. When a technician encounters a vehicle issue, the pre-prepared diagnostic flowchart is immediately retrieved and presented, eliminating the need for time-consuming phone consultations and enabling technicians to maintain high work output while receiving accurate diagnostic guidance.
3Stability of the object's composition
If technical assistants work with multiple technicians on similar vehicle issues, then they can provide consistent guidance, but the time spent on redundant assistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic flowchart system serves multiple technicians simultaneously with standardized, consistent diagnostic procedures. The same flowchart stored in the system memory provides uniform guidance to all technicians working on similar vehicle issues, ensuring consistency in diagnostic approach and outcomes while eliminating the need for technical assistants to repeatedly explain the same procedures to different technicians.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and distributes standardized copies of diagnostic flowcharts to multiple technicians. These copied procedures ensure that all technicians receive identical, consistent guidance for similar vehicle issues, eliminating variability in diagnostic approaches and reducing the time technical assistants spend providing repetitive assistance to different technicians.
4Measurement precision
If technicians follow detailed diagnostic procedures, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but the complexity of the diagnostic process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic flowchart divides complex diagnostic procedures into segmented, manageable steps presented in a logical sequence. Each step contains specific diagnostic actions, decision points, and next-step guidance, breaking down complicated diagnostic processes into discrete, easy-to-follow segments that maintain diagnostic precision while reducing perceived complexity for the technician.
Solution Approach 2:
The diagnostic flowchart provides dynamic, adaptive guidance that adjusts to the specific vehicle condition and diagnostic progress. The system presents only the relevant diagnostic steps and information needed at each stage, rather than requiring technicians to navigate through static, comprehensive manuals. This dynamic presentation maintains diagnostic precision while simplifying the actual diagnostic process experienced by the technician.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for updating diagnostic and repair information are disclosed. In an example system, a first request indicative of a vehicle repair issue for a vehicle is received. A diagnostic flowchart for identifying and resolving the vehicle repair issue is then sent. A second request for further technical assistance and vehicle condition data collected during execution of the diagnostic flowchart are received. The diagnostic flowchart and the vehicle condition data are then sent. Diagnostic assistance information and feedback data indicating whether the vehicle repair issue has been identified and resolved are then received, and the diagnostic flowchart is updated accordingly.