Equipment service vehicle with network-assisted vehicle service and repair

• US 20030158640A1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Original Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
• Inventors: Pillar, Duane R., Squires, Bradley C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,993,421 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/33
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 27/00 Fire-fighting land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2240/70 Interactions with external data bases, e.g. traffic centres
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 3/12 Recording operating variables ; Monitoring of operating variables
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 50/15 with additional electric power supply with capacitors charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/40; with batteries charged by engine-driven generators B60L50/61
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0315 using multiplexing techniques multiplexing for transmission of signals G08C15/00; multiplexing for electrical communication in general H04J
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/043 with additional means for keeping the receptacle substantially vertical during raising
• CPC Class Codes: B65F 3/045 Four-bar linkages
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 17/00 Testing of vehicles testing fluid tightness G01M3/00; testing elastic properties of bodies or chassis, e.g. torsion-testing, G01M5/00; testing alignment of vehicle headlight devices G01M11/06; testing of engines G01M15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/08 Registering or indicating performance data other than driving, working, idle, or waiting time, with or without registering driving, working, idle or waiting time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/085 using electronic data carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/7072 Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/72 Electric energy management in electromobility
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/16 Information or communication technologies improving the operation of electric vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/10 Waste collection, transportation, transfer or storage, e.g. segregated refuse collecting, electric or hybrid propulsion

Abstract

A method of ordering parts for an equipment service vehicle comprises performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle and transmitting a request for a replacement part for the equipment service vehicle, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency (RF) communication link. A method of scheduling maintenance for an equipment service vehicle comprises performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle using an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle, and transmitting a request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance. The request is transmitted from the on-board vehicle computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency communication link.

Claims

1. A method of ordering parts for an equipment service vehicle comprising:

performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle; and

transmitting a request for a replacement part for the equipment service vehicle, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency (RF) communication link.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the wireless RF communication link connects the equipment service vehicle to the Internet, and the request is transmitted from the computer system to the off-board computer system by way of the Internet.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the on-board computer system uses a wireless modem to connect to the Internet.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the request is transmitted from the on-board computer system to the off-board computer system in the form of an electronic mail message.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting a request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance to install the replacement part, the request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance being transmitted from the on-board computer system to the off-board computer system.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising transmitting scheduling information indicating when maintenance is to be performed on the equipment service vehicle, the scheduling information being transmitted from the off-board computer system to the on-board computer system.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining determining and identifying steps being performed by the on-board computer system.

8. The method according to claim 7,

wherein the on-board computer system comprises a parts database for the equipment service vehicle, the parts database comprising information including part numbers for parts utilized by the equipment service vehicle;

and

wherein the identifying step further comprises accessing the parts database and determining a part number for the replacement part.

9. The method according to claim 1,

wherein the equipment service vehicle further comprises

a plurality of input devices;

a plurality of output devices;

wherein the on-board computer system comprises a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links, the plurality of interface modules being distributed throughout the vehicle; and

wherein the on-board computer system determines that the replacement part is needed based on information provided by the plurality of input devices.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of input devices is a sensor that monitors health and operation of the part that is in need of replacing, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information received from the sensor.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of input devices is a voltage or current sensor that measures a voltage across or a current through the part that is in need of replacing, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information received from the sensor.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the part that is in need of replacing is one of the plurality of output devices, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing by monitoring a voltage across or a current through the part that is in need of replacing.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising

broadcasting, from each interface module to each of the remaining interface modules, I/O status information pertaining to I/O states of the respective input and output devices the interface modules is connected;

maintaining a separate I/O status table at each of the interface modules, the I/O status table storing I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising

transmitting an identification code for the equipment service vehicle, the identification code being transmitted from the on-board computer system to the off-board computer system;

and

accessing a replacement parts database to obtain part information for the replacement part, the accessing step being performed by the off-board computer system.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting part availability information from the off-board computer system to the on-board computer system.

16. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting part delivery date information from the off-board computer system to the on-board computer system.

17. The method according to claim 1, further comprising transmitting receipt information confirming that the part was ordered, the receipt information being transmitted from the off-board computer system to the on-board computer system.

18. A system comprising:

(A) an equipment service vehicle including

(1) a power source,

(2) a power transmission link,

(3) a plurality of input devices, the plurality of input devices including a sensor that provides information pertaining to health and operation of the equipment service vehicle,

(4) a plurality of output devices,

(5) an on-board computer system including a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links; and

(B) an off-board computer system;

wherein the on-board computer system receives the health and operation information from the sensor, the health and operation information being used to determine that the equipment service vehicle has a part in need of replacing; and

wherein the on-board communication establishes a wireless radio-frequency communication link with the off-board computer system and places an order for a replacement part to replace the part in need of replacing.

19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising an off-board computer-implemented scheduling system, the scheduling system maintaining a schedule of service time slots during which resources are available for performing vehicle maintenance, and wherein the scheduling system schedules the equipment service vehicle for maintenance during one of the service time slots.

20. The system according to claim 18, further comprising an off-board computer-implemented inventory management system, the inventory management system comprising inventory information for an inventory of replacement parts for the equipment service vehicle, the inventory management system determining whether the replacement part is in the inventory, and the inventory management system transmitting a message to the on-board computer indicating whether the replacement part is in inventory.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the inventory management system categorizes the replacement parts according to a multi-tier system, the multi-tier system including a first tier of replacement parts that can be ordered by the on-board computer directly without human intervention, and a second tier of replacement parts that can be ordered by the on-board computer only with the assistance of human intervention.

22. The system according to claim 18, wherein the equipment service vehicle further comprises

(1) a first vehicle subsystem, the first vehicle subsystem including an engine and an electronic engine control system that is coupled to the engine and to the communication network, the electronic engine control system controlling the engine and transmitting data pertaining to the health and operation of the engine on the communication network;

(2) a second vehicle subsystem, the second vehicle subsystem including a transmission and an electronic transmission control system, the electronic transmission control system controlling the transmission and transmitting data pertaining to the health and operation of the transmission on the communication network;

(3) a third vehicle subsystem, the third vehicle subsystem including an antilock brake system and an electronic antilock brake control system, the electronic antilock brake control system controlling the antilock brake system and transmitting data pertaining to the health and operation of the antilock brake system on the communication network;

(4) a fourth vehicle subsystem, the fourth vehicle subsystem including a central tire inflation system and an electronic central tire inflation control system, the electronic central tire inflation control system controlling the central tire inflation system and transmitting data pertaining to the health and operation of the central tire inflation system on the communication network; and

wherein the on-board computer system receives the health and operation information from the first, second, third and fourth vehicle subsystems, and

wherein the on-board computer system is capable of placing an order for a respective part of each of the first, second, third and fourth vehicle subsystems upon a determination based on the health and operation information from the first, second, third and fourth vehicle subsystems that the respective part is in need of replacing.

23. The system according to claim 18, wherein the wireless RF communication link connects the equipment service vehicle to the Internet, and the order for the replacement part is placed by way of the Internet.

24. The system according to claim 18,

wherein each of the interface modules broadcasts, to each of the remaining interface modules, I/O status information pertaining to I/O states of the respective input and output devices the interface modules is connected;

and

wherein each of the interface modules maintains a separate I/O status table, the I/O status table storing I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

25. A system comprising:

(A) an equipment service vehicle comprising

(1) a communication network,

(2) a plurality of vehicle subsystems, each vehicle subsystem comprising a mechanical system and an electronic control system that controls the mechanical system, each respective electronic control system being connected to the pertaining to the health and operation of the mechanical system on the communication network,

(3) an on-board computer system including

(a) a test control module, the test control module being coupled to the plurality of vehicle subsystems by way of the communication network, the test control module being programmed to acquire at least some of the information pertaining to the health and operation of the mechanical system, and

(b) an operator interface, the operator interface being coupled to the test control module, the operator interface comprising a display that displays the at least some information pertaining to the health and operation of the mechanical system, the operator interface displaying a menu of test options to an operator of the equipment service vehicle and receiving an operator input, the operator input being indicative of a menu selection made by the operator, the menu selection indicating a test selected by the operator; and

(B) an off-board computer system;

wherein the on-board computer system performs the selected test on the vehicle and displays results of the test to the operator using the operator interface, the results of the test indicating that a vehicle part is in need of replacing; and

wherein the on-board computer is capable of establishing a wireless radio-frequency communication link with the off-board computer system to place an order for a replacement part to replace the vehicle part.

26. The system according to claim 25,

wherein the equipment service vehicle further comprises

(1) a power source,

(2) a power transmission link,

(3) a plurality of input devices, the plurality of input devices including a sensor that provides information pertaining to health and operation of a part of the equipment service vehicle, and

(4) a plurality of output devices;

wherein the on-board computer system further comprises a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links, the plurality of interface modules cooperating to control the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of input devices, and each respective interface module being locally disposed with respect to the respective input and output devices to which the respective interface module is coupled so as to permit, by way of the respective dedicated communication link, distributed data collection from the respective input devices to the respective interface module and distributed power distribution from the respective interface module to the respective output devices;

wherein the on-board computer system receives the health and operation information from the sensor, the health and operation information being used to determine that the part is in need of replacing.

27. The system according to claim 26, wherein each of the interface modules broadcasts, to each of the remaining interface modules, I/O status information pertaining to I/O states of the respective input and output devices the interface modules is connected;

and

wherein each of the interface modules maintains a separate I/O status table, the I/O status table storing I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the wireless RF communication link connects the equipment service vehicle to the Internet, and the order for the replacement part is placed by way of the Internet.

29. A method of scheduling maintenance for an equipment service vehicle comprising:

performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle; and

transmitting a request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to an off-board computer system by way of a wireless radio-frequency communication link.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the wireless RF communication link connects the equipment service vehicle to the Internet, and the request is transmitted from the on-board computer system to the off-board computer system by way of the Internet.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the on-board computer system uses a wireless modem to connect to the Internet.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein the request is transmitted from the on-board computer system to the off-board computer system in the form of an electronic mail message.

33. The method according to claim 29, further comprising determining that the equipment service vehicle is in need of maintenance, the determining step being performed by the on-board computer system.

34. The method according to claim 29,

wherein the equipment service vehicle further comprises:

a plurality of input devices,

a plurality of output devices;

wherein the on-board computer system comprises a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, and the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the plurality of input devices and to the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links; and

wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information provided by the plurality of input devices.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein one of the plurality of input devices is a sensor that monitors health and operation of the part that is in need of replacing, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information received from the sensor.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein one of the plurality of input devices is a voltage or current sensor that measures a voltage across or a current through the part that is in need of replacing, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information received from the sensor.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the part that is in need of replacing is one of the plurality of output devices, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing by monitoring a voltage across or a current through the part that is in need of replacing.

38. The method according to claim 34, further comprising

broadcasting, from each interface module to each of the remaining interface modules, I/O status information pertaining to I/O states of the respective input and output devices the interface modules is connected;

maintaining a separate I/O status table at each of the interface modules, the I/O status table storing I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

39. The method according to claim 29, wherein the wireless RF communication link connects the equipment service vehicle to the Internet, and the request is transmitted by way of the Internet.

40. A method of ordering parts for an equipment service vehicle comprising:

performing a diagnostic test on the equipment service vehicle, the performing step being performed by an on-board computer system of the equipment service vehicle, the results of the diagnostic test indicating that a part on the equipment service vehicle is in need of replacing;

transmitting a request for a replacement part for the part in need of replacing, the request being transmitted from the on-board computer system to a first off-board computer system by way of a wireless radiofrequency (RF) communication link, the first off-board computer system being associated with a maintenance center that maintains the equipment service vehicle;

transmitting the request from the first off-board computer system to a second off-board computer system, the second off-board computer system being associated with a parts supplier that is capable of supplying replacement parts for the equipment service vehicle;

responding to the request at the second off-board computer system, including transmitting expected delivery date information of the replacement part at the maintenance center, the expected delivery date information being transmitted from the second off-board computer system to the first off-board computer system; and

scheduling the equipment service vehicle for maintenance on a scheduled maintenance date, the scheduling step being performed by the first off-board computer system based on the expected delivery date information.

41. The method according to claim 40, further comprising

transmitting a confirmation message to the on-board computer system;

displaying the confirmation message using a display on board the equipment service vehicle; and

displaying the scheduled maintenance date using the display.

42. The method according to claim 40,

wherein the equipment service vehicle further comprises

(1) a power source,

(2) a power transmission link,

(3) a plurality of input devices, and

(4) a plurality of output devices;

wherein the on-board computer system further comprises a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links, and each respective interface module being locally disposed with respect to the respective input and output devices to which the respective interface module is coupled so as to permit, by way of the respective dedicated communication link, distributed data collection from the respective input devices to the respective interface module and distributed power distribution from the respective interface module to the respective output devices;

wherein the step of performing the diagnostic test comprises acquiring health and operation information at one of the plurality of interface modules.

43. The method according to claim 42, wherein one of the plurality of input devices is a sensor that monitors health and operation of the part that is in need of replacing, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information received from the sensor.

44. The method according to claim 42, wherein one of the plurality of input devices is a voltage or current sensor that measures a voltage across or a current through the part that is in need of replacing, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing based on information received from the sensor.

45. The method according to claim 42, wherein the part that is in need of replacing is one of the plurality of output devices, and wherein the on-board computer system determines that the part is in need of replacing by monitoring a voltage across or a current through the part that is in need of replacing.

46. The method according to claim 42, further comprising

broadcasting, from each interface module to each of the remaining interface modules, I/O status information pertaining to I/O states of the respective input and output devices the interface modules is connected;

maintaining a separate I/O status table at each of the interface modules, the I/O status table storing I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

47. The method according to claim 40, wherein the wireless RF communication link connects the equipment service vehicle to the Internet, and the request for the replacement part for the part in need of replacing is transmitted by way of the Internet.

48. A method of distributing recall notice information for an equipment service vehicle comprising:

transmitting recall notice information indicating that a part on-board the equipment service vehicle is the subject of a recall, the recall notice information being transmitted from an off-board computer system to an on-board computer system; and

displaying the recall notice information to an operator of the equipment service vehicle using a display on-board the equipment service vehicle.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the recall notice information is transmitted from the off-board computer system to the on-board computer system by way of the Internet.

50. The method according to claim 48, further comprising transmitting a request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance responsive to the recall notice information, the request to schedule the equipment service vehicle for maintenance being transmitted from the on-board computer system to the off-board computer system.

51. The method according to claim 48, further comprising displaying location information pertaining to a location of a maintenance center qualified to perform maintenance responsive to the recall notice information, the displaying step being performed using the display.

52. The method according to claim 48, wherein the on-board computer is an Internet-enabled computer connected to the Internet, and the recall notice information being transmitted to the computer by way of the Internet.

53. The method according to claim 48,

wherein the equipment service vehicle further comprises

(1) a power source,

(2) a power transmission link,

(3) a plurality of input devices, and

(4) a plurality of output devices;

wherein the on-board computer system further comprises a plurality of microprocessor-based interface modules and a communication network, the plurality of interface modules being coupled to the power source by way of the power transmission link, the plurality of interface modules being interconnected to each other by way of the communication network, each of the plurality of interface modules being coupled to respective ones of the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices by way of respective dedicated communication links, the plurality of interface modules cooperating to control the plurality of output devices based on input status information from the plurality of input devices, and each respective interface module being locally disposed with respect to the respective input and output devices to which the respective interface module is coupled so as to permit, by way of the respective dedicated communication link, distributed data collection from the respective input devices to the respective interface module and distributed power distribution from the respective interface module to the respective output devices;

wherein the display is coupled to the communication network.

54. The method according to claim 53, further comprising

broadcasting, from each interface module to each of the remaining interface modules, I/O status information pertaining to I/O states of the maintaining a separate I/O status table at each of the interface modules, the I/O status table storing I/O status information for the plurality of input devices and the plurality of output devices.

55. A diagnostic testing method for an equipment service vehicle having a plurality of vehicle subsystems, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of test options of an off-board computer system;

receiving an operator input using the off-board computer system, the input being indicative of a selection made by the operator, the selection indicating a test selected by the operator;

performing the selected test on the vehicle using a sensor or at least one of the plurality of vehicle subsystems or both, the sensor being configured to obtain health and operation information for a vehicle device;

acquiring health and operation information pertaining to results of the test from the at least one vehicle subsystem or from the sensor or from both;

transmitting the health and operation information from the test interface module or the at least one vehicle subsystem or both to the off-board computer system using a wireless communication link; and

displaying the results of the test to the operator using the off-board computer system.