A Design Methodology for Control-type Self-Maintenance Machines

Abstract

This paper proposes a design methodology for self-maintenance machines that can maintain their functions for a while, even though faults happen. In order to achieve the capabilities for diagnosing and repair planning, a model based approach that employs qualitative physics is proposed. Regarding the repair executing capability, two types of repair strategies are proposed; viz., control type and functional redundancy type which is a strategy to add redundancy to a machine from a viewpoint of function. This paper also reports the development of a control-type self-maintenance machine that can maintain its functions as far as its structure does not change. © 1994, The Japan Society for Precision Engineering. All rights reserved.