JPH08185410A - Supply parts retrieval system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To specify one part even when a different part is applied for each period by deciding a feature type expression based on identification information added to each product and referring to switching information showing the relation of correspondence between plural parts and the term of application. CONSTITUTION: When a car number is inputted, a switching code is provided as the retrieved result of a parts table 222 with the relevant feature type expression as a retrieval key. Corresponding to this code, a switching parts retrieving part 213 retrieves the relevant switching information with designated article number code and feature type expression as retrieval keys. Since the switching parts retrieving part 213 collates the designated date of manufacture with the period of application, the parts applied on this date of manufacture can be specified and the relevant parts number can be provided.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spare parts search system used for searching spare parts such as automobiles in a repair shop or a service center. In recent years, the specifications of automobiles and the like have been diversified reflecting the variety of user preferences, and there are various specifications of the same vehicle type.

Therefore, when exchanging parts for repairing an automobile or installing optional parts, a model specifying the details of the specifications of the automobile is accurately identified and a suitable part is searched for. There is a need. In the past, the user had to go through the printed parts catalogs to perform this search work, but this is a heavy burden on the user.
Personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as personal computer)
There has been proposed a spare parts search system that automatically searches parts to some extent by using.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional automobile spare parts search system. In FIG. 6, the parts database 401 corresponds to the product name code indicating the type of parts,
It stores part numbers that indicate parts that are compatible with various types of vehicles. Further, the search processing unit 402 receives, via the input / output control unit 404, an instruction input by the user operating an input device such as the keyboard 403, and in response to this instruction, the component database 401 is referred to. The configuration is such that the part number to be searched is searched.

Here, the above-mentioned parts database 401
In addition to the product name code described above, the vehicle name indicating a rough category, the model indicating the detailed features in each category, and the year may be used as search keys to search for the part number indicating the corresponding part. Further, in this case, the search processing unit 402 receives the input of the vehicle name, the model, the year, etc. as the information for specifying the automobile to be replenished with the parts as the search key, and the parts database 401. With reference to, a part number within a range limited by these search keys is searched as a part number candidate, and the search result is sent to the display processing unit 405.

Therefore, with the above search key,
If only one part number can be specified, the display processing unit 405 creates display data for displaying the corresponding part number, and if it is used for the display operation by the display device 406, it is needed by the user. It is possible to provide a part number that identifies the replenishing part in use. In this case, since the only operation required for the user is the operation of inputting the above-mentioned search key via the keyboard 403, the user's burden is reduced as compared to the operation of turning over the pages of the printed catalog. It is possible to drastically reduce the number of required parts, and the necessary part number can be searched accurately and quickly, so that the work efficiency can be dramatically improved.

[0006]

In the above-mentioned conventional spare parts retrieval system, the user also has to input a model for specifying the detailed specifications of the automobile as a part of the retrieval key. However, in order to know this model accurately, it is necessary to be familiar with the detailed specifications of the vehicle, and it is hard to say that the system is easy to use for users who have little knowledge about vehicles.

Further, in a production line such as an automobile, a design change may be made in order to improve the efficiency of production and the occurrence of defects in each component. At this time,
The applied parts may be switched. However, the above-described spare parts search system is not always suitable for such a case.

For example, when a part is switched due to a design change or the like in the middle of the year, the part database 401 of the conventional system mentioned above has part numbers indicating both parts before and after the switch in parallel. Will be stored in. Therefore, in the conventional spare parts search system, a plurality of parts numbers are obtained as search results in response to the input of the search key.

In such a case, since the corresponding part cannot be specified in the conventional spare parts search system, the user selects one from a plurality of part numbers obtained as a search result. In the end, the user is required to have knowledge and judgment regarding necessary spare parts. It is an object of the present invention to provide a spare parts search system capable of surely identifying a necessary spare parts by a simple operation.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the principle of a spare parts retrieval system according to the present invention. According to the invention of claim 1, a model storing means 111 for storing a characteristic model indicating a characteristic of the industrial product and a manufacturing date corresponding to identification information for identifying each industrial product created by combining a plurality of parts. , For each of the plurality of parts, a part number indicating the part applied corresponding to the characteristic model or a part number storage means 112 storing a switching code indicating that the applied part has been switched With respect to the performed parts, a switching information storage unit 113 that stores switching information indicating a correspondence relationship between an applicable period and a corresponding part number corresponding to the corresponding characteristic model, and a model storage according to the input of the identification information A model search unit 114 for searching the characteristic model and the manufacturing date from the unit 111, and a special model obtained by the model search unit 114 in response to the input of the product name code indicating the part to be replenished. Based on the the product name code and model, the part number search unit 115 for searching for part number storing unit 112,
When the search result by the part number search means 115 is a switch code, the switch information search means 116 for searching the switch information storage means 113 for the corresponding switch information based on the characteristic model and the product name code, and the switch information. By displaying the search result obtained from the part number searching means 115 or the specifying means 117 by checking the manufacturing date and identifying the part number for which the applicable period is suitable and sending it as the search result. And a display means 118 provided to the user.

[0011]

According to the present invention, since the model searching means 114 searches the model storing means 111, the characteristic model and the manufacturing date can be specified from the identification information of the industrial product, so that the parts to be applied can be switched. If not, the part number searching means 11 is based on the characteristic model and the product name code.
5 searches the part number storage means 112,
Only one part number can be identified and presented to the user via the display means 118.

When the parts to be applied are switched, the switching information searching means 116 and the specifying means 117 operate according to the search result by the part number searching means 115, and are stored in the switching information storing means 113. Only one part number can be identified based on the switching information. As described above, according to the present invention, the required component code can be automatically specified only by inputting the identification information and the product name code.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the spare parts retrieval system of the present invention. 2, the spare parts search system includes a search processor 210, a model table 221, a parts table 222, and a switching parts table 223 in place of the search processor 402 and the parts database 401 of the spare parts search system shown in FIG. It is equipped with.

The model table 221, the parts table 222 and the switching parts table 223 described above are the CD-R.
The model search unit 211, the component search unit 212, and the switching component search unit 213 of the search processing unit 210, which are recorded in the OM 220, are configured to search the corresponding table via the CD-ROM drive 231. . The above-mentioned model table 221 corresponds to the model storage means 111, and as shown in FIG. 3 (a), a characteristic model for identifying detailed specifications of the vehicle corresponding to the chassis number and the corresponding vehicle. It is configured to store a car name indicating a rough category of.

The parts table 222 corresponds to the part number storage means 112, and as shown in FIG. 3 (b), corresponding parts corresponding to the car name and the characteristic model for each product name code. A switching code indicating whether or not the number or the part has been switched (in FIG. 3, the code “*”)
"Shown by" is stored. Further, the switching component table 223 corresponds to the switching information storage means 113, and as shown in FIG. 3 (c), only the components to which the above-mentioned switching code is attached is classified by the characteristic model for each product name code. It is configured to store switching information indicating a corresponding relationship between a plurality of corresponding part numbers and manufacturing dates.

Further, in the search processing unit 210, the search control unit 213 receives the search key via the input / output control unit 404, and based on this, the model search unit 21 described above.
The configuration is such that the search operation by the component search unit 212 and the switching component search unit 213 is controlled. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the search operation by the spare parts search system of the present invention.

In this case, the user may enter the chassis number and the product name code through the keyboard 403 in step 301. In response to this, the search control unit 2
First of all, the chassis number is sent to the model search unit 211 by the controller 14, and the model search unit 211 searches the model table 221 via the CD-ROM drive 231 (step 302).

At this time, the model search unit 211 may search for the corresponding characteristic model, manufacturing date, and vehicle name using the chassis number as a search key, and return the search result to the search control unit 214. Next, the search control unit 214 sends the characteristic model and vehicle name obtained as a result of the search by the model search unit 211 to the component search unit 212 in addition to the above-described product name code, and in response to this, this component The search unit 212 may search the parts table 222 using the received product name code, vehicle name, and characteristic model as search keys (step 303) and return the search result to the search control unit 214.

As described above, the functions of the model search means 114 and the part number search means 115 can be realized by operating the model search section 211 and the part search section 212 in accordance with the instruction from the search control section 214. it can. Based on the search result obtained in step 303 described above, the search control unit 214 determines whether or not the corresponding component can be specified (step 304).

For example, in step 301, the chassis number "FD17
1-001235 ”and the product name code indicating the shock absorber are input, the parts search unit 212 searches using the characteristic model“ FD171BA-ABD ”and the vehicle name“ A ”obtained in step 302 described above as search keys. By performing processing,
You can get the part number "11210-45". In this way, when the part number is obtained as the search result by the part search unit 212, it indicates that the necessary part can be specified. Therefore, the affirmative judgment of step 304 is made and the process proceeds to step 305. , The part number obtained in step 303 is sent to the display processing unit 405 as a search result, and the display device 406 corresponding to the display unit 118.
It is sufficient to provide the information to the user via the and the processing is completed.

On the other hand, when the user inputs the chassis number "FD171-001238" in step 301, the part table 222 is switched using the corresponding characteristic model "FD171BA-FDS" as a search key. You get the code. In this case, the search control unit 214 determines that the required component could not be identified, and the search control unit 214 determines in step 304.
It is only necessary to specify the characteristic model, the product name code, and the manufacturing date as the negative determination of No., and to instruct the switching component search unit 213 to search the switching component table.

In response to this, the switching component search unit 213
First, using the specified product name code and characteristic model as search keys, the corresponding switching information is searched (step 30).
6). Here, as shown in FIG. 3 (c), the switching information table 223 includes two parts indicating the parts applied to this characteristic model as the switching information corresponding to the above-mentioned characteristic model "FD171BA-FDS". The combination of the part number and each applicable period is stored.

Therefore, the switching component search unit 213
In step 307, by comparing the designated manufacturing date with the applicable period, the component applied in this manufacturing date can be specified and the corresponding part number can be obtained. For example, the manufacturing date of the vehicle indicated by the chassis number “FD171-001238” is 19 in the Christian era as shown in FIG. 3 (a).
Since it is November 1994, from the switching information shown in Fig. 3 (c),
It is possible to obtain the part number “11210-81” corresponding to the part applied in this manufacturing year.

That is, the switching parts searching unit 213 operates in accordance with an instruction from the search control unit 214 to realize the functions of the switching information searching unit 116 and the specifying unit 117, and the parts are switched during the year. Even in the case of being, it is possible to accurately specify the applied part. Similarly, it is possible to accurately identify the parts applied to the vehicle indicated by the chassis number input in step 301, in consideration of the parts switching performed for the characteristic model “FD172CV-EXE”. .

After receiving the part number specified in this way as a search result, the search control unit 214 proceeds to step 305, provides the user with the search result, and ends the processing. As mentioned above, according to the present invention,
In consideration of the switching of parts due to design changes and the like, it is possible to automatically specify the necessary spare parts in accordance with the input of the chassis number.

Therefore, since it is not necessary for the user to recognize the characteristic model of each vehicle, the burden on the user can be greatly reduced, and the necessary parts can be searched quickly and accurately. This allows users with little knowledge of vehicles to use the spare parts search system to share tasks such as ordering spare parts, so the technician will have true knowledge of actual repair work. It is possible to concentrate on the required work, and it is possible to improve the efficiency of the work in the repair factory or service center, and as a result, it becomes possible to improve the serviceability to the customer.

In particular, by storing the manufacturing date together with the characteristic model corresponding to the chassis number in the model table 211 and obtaining the information regarding the month in which the corresponding vehicle was manufactured, the applicable parts can be set in the middle of the year. It is now possible to obtain accurate search results even when switching. Also,
Since the CD-ROM is a large-capacity recording medium, the model table 221, the parts table 222, and the switching information table 223 for the chassis numbers of hundreds of thousands of vehicles are provided as one C sheet.
It can be collectively recorded in the D-ROM. Furthermore, if each vehicle name is divided into a plurality of CD-ROMs and recorded, it is possible to deal with a huge number of chassis numbers.

Further, the CD-ROM can be reproduced in a large amount in the same manner as a music CD, but the data cannot be rewritten by an ordinary CD-ROM drive. Therefore, the model table 221, the parts table 222, and the switching table described above are used. The information table 223 is less likely to be accidentally erased and is suitable for such an application. In addition, by using mail or home delivery, the model table 221, the parts table 222, and the switching information table 223 are updated by distributing them to repair factories and service bases all over the country, for example, once every two to three months. Can be done easily.

Further, by connecting a spare parts search system installed in a repair shop or the like and an automobile maker through a communication line, the model table 221, the parts table 222 and the switching information table 223 can be updated every shorter period. it can. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the spare parts retrieval system of the present invention. 5, the spare parts search system includes a hard disk device 232 and a disk control device 233 instead of the CD-ROM drive 231 and the CD-ROM 220 shown in FIG.
The hard disk device 232 is configured to record the model table 221, the parts table 222, and the switching information table 223 described above.

Further, this supply parts search system is connected to the line via the communication processing unit 234, and the rewriting processing unit 235 receives the information input via this line via the communication processing unit 234. Disk controller 23
3 through the model table 221, parts table 222
The contents of the switching information table 223 are updated.

In this case, the maker side prepares information to be added or corrected in the model table 221, the parts table 222, and the switching information table 223, and the spare parts retrieval system in each place can obtain these information at any time. By receiving and updating, it is possible to always deal with the latest information.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention, based on the identification information attached to each product, the characteristic model indicating the feature of the product is determined, and the plurality of parts and the period during which each is applied are determined. By referring to the switching information indicating the correspondence relationship with, even if different parts are applied for each period, only one part can be specified. You can search for exactly the required spare parts.

As a result, it is possible to provide a spare parts search system that can be easily used by a user who has little knowledge about the product, so that the efficiency of the work at the repair shop or the service center can be improved, and the customer can be provided. The serviceability of can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of a supply parts search system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a supply parts search system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a model table, a parts table, and a switching information table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a search operation.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the spare parts search system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional spare parts retrieval system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 111 model storing means 112 part number storing means 113 switching information storing means 114 model searching means 115 part number searching means 116 switching information searching means 117 specifying means 118 display means 210, 402 search processing section 211 model searching section 212 part searching section 213 switching Parts search unit 214 Search control unit 220 CD-ROM 221 Model table 222 Parts table 223 Switching information table 231 CD-ROM drive 232 Hard disk device 233 Disk control device 234 Communication processing unit 235 Rewriting processing unit 401 Component database 403 Keyboard 404 Input / output control Unit 405 display processing unit 406 display device

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Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A model storing means for storing a characteristic model and a manufacturing date indicating a characteristic of the industrial product corresponding to identification information for identifying each industrial product created by combining a plurality of parts, For each of the plurality of parts, a part number indicating the part applied corresponding to the characteristic model or a part number storage means for storing a switching code indicating that the applied part has been switched, and switching is performed. Switching information storage means for storing the switching information indicating the correspondence between the applicable period and the corresponding part number corresponding to the corresponding characteristic model, and storing the model according to the input of the identification information. The model search means for searching the characteristic model and the manufacturing date from the means, and the characteristic model obtained by the model search means according to the input of the product name code indicating the part to be replenished and this product A part number searching means for searching the part number storing means on the basis of the code, and when the search result by the part number searching means is the switching code, based on the characteristic model and the product name code , A switching information search unit that searches the switching information storage unit for the corresponding switching information, and the switching information and the manufacturing date are collated to identify a part number for which the applicable period conforms, and send it as a search result. And a display unit that displays the search result obtained from the part number search unit or the specification unit and provides the user with the search result.