Method for, in particular preventive, maintenance of a non-computing appliance, such as a kitchen appliance

Abstract

In a Method for maintenance of a non-computing appliance, such as a kitchen appliance, the steps are a2) identifying a datum representative of the lifetime of at least one component of the appliance, and determining a threshold value of the said datum beyond which a risk of malfunction of the component may occur, b2) monitoring the current value of the said datum of an appliance in a user's site, c2) performing a maintenance operation in respect of the appliance as soon as the current value exceeds the said threshold value, with a view to undertaking for example the replacement of the said component. in step a2), sub-steps are obtaining a reference value of the datum, obtaining information for one and the same component of several identical or similar appliances in users' sites, and calculating the threshold value on the basis of the reference value and the said information.

Claims

1. Method for maintenance of a non-computing appliance, comprising the steps of: a2) identifying a datum representative of the lifetime of at least one component of the appliance, and determining a threshold value of the datum beyond which a risk of malfunction of the component occurs, b2) monitoring a current value of the datum of the appliance in a user's site with a sensor fitted to the appliance, c2) performing a maintenance operation in respect of the appliance in response to the current value exceeding the threshold value, with a view to replacing the component, wherein step a2) comprises sub-steps of: obtaining a reference value of the datum, obtaining information for one and the same component of several identical or similar appliances in users' sites, and calculating the threshold value on the basis of the reference value and the information.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the information obtained comprises operating data of the component.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the operating data comprise parameters measured by sensors fitted to the appliances, parameters metered by meters fitted to the appliances, for detecting anomalies in the appliances.

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the data and/or parameters are transmitted by the appliances to a remote computing server situated at the premises of a manager responsible for the maintenance operation.

5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of the data is performed in a random manner in response to a termination of the maintenance operation in respect of the appliance.

6. Method according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of the parameters is performed in a periodic manner.

7. Method according to claim 3, wherein the anomalies detected are hierarchized as a function of their criticality and of their frequency of occurrence.

8. Method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of steps a2) and b2) is performed remotely, the appliance being equipped for remote communication.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein the appliance is equipped for remote communication over 3G or low-frequency radio waves.

10. Method according to claim 1, wherein the reference value is given by a manufacturer or supplier of the component.

11. Facility for implementing the method according to claim 1, the facility comprising: at least one appliance in a user's site, said appliance being liable to be the subject of the maintenance operation, a remote computing server configured to implement steps a2) and b2), a maintenance department able to carry out step c2), the computing server configured to monitor the current value, obtain the reference value and the information for a pool of appliances, calculate the threshold value, compare the current value with the threshold value, and emit an alert for the maintenance department in response to results of the comparison.

12. Facility according to claim 11, wherein the appliance is configured for remote communication.

13. Facility according to claim 11, wherein the appliance is a cooking appliance.

14. Facility according to claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises: an integrated memory for storing maintenance data of the appliance, and an integrated processor for recording the maintenance data in the memory.

15. Facility according to claim 11, wherein the appliance comprises a wireless or port-based connection to an electronic device.

16. Method according to claim 1, wherein the information obtained comprises maintenance data of the component.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The invention will be better understood and other details, characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description given by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic view in perspective of an appliance, here a kitchen appliance, liable to form the subject of a maintenance operation;

(3) FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing steps of a method of maintenance according to a first aspect of the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing steps of a method of maintenance according to another aspect of the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a very schematic view of an installation for implementing the method according to the invention;

(6) FIG. 5 is a graph showing the evolution of the number of observed failures of components as a function of usage time;

(7) FIG. 6 represents the rate of failure of components as a function of usage time;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a hierarchization (by means of color codes) of the anomalies of a component as a function of their criticality and of their frequency of occurrence (recurrence).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Reference is firstly made to FIG. 1 which represents an appliance, here a kitchen appliance, liable to form the subject of a maintenance operation with a view for example to verifying the state of components or to replacing them. Here the appliance is an oven 10 and more precisely a combination oven since it is configured to cook foods according to two modes of cooking, which may optionally be combined: blown air and steam.

(10) Typically, the oven 10 comprises a muffle 12 defining a cooking enclosure 14 and a door 16 for closing this enclosure. The muffle 12 has several tiers (here six in number) and can accommodate several cooking trays or pans one above the other.

(11) The oven 10 is equipped with a control panel 18 comprising selection means such as buttons 20 and display means, for example digital or with touchscreen. The buttons 20 may for example serve to adjust or select a mode of cooking, a temperature setting, etc.

(12) The generation of steam in the enclosure 14 is obtained by means of a boiler which is associated in particular with a pump, a nozzle for injecting steam into the enclosure 14, and electrovalves (for example for supplying and for draining the boiler). The oven 10 can be equipped with other electrovalves such as an electrovalve for cleaning the enclosure 14.

(13) For the ventilation of the enclosure 14 and the generation of blown air, the oven 10 comprises a fan 22 which is protected here by a grid 24 and which is associated with an electric motor.

(14) The oven 10 also comprises means of electrical attachment to an electrical network and means of hydraulic attachment to a water distribution network, in particular for supplying water to the boiler.

(15) The door 16 of the oven 10 is equipped with a handle 26 associated with locking means. This door is advantageously ventilated and is of the cold door type.

(16) Here the oven 10 is equipped with connection means 28, 30 accessible here on the front face of the oven. Here the connection means 28 comprise a port, for example of the USB type, for the connection to the oven of an electronic device 34 such as a telephone, a tablet, a computer, etc. Here the connection means 30 comprise a plug for attachment to an electric current socket. These connection means 30 are attached to similar connection means situated in the enclosure 14 for the attachment of a core probe, which makes it possible to track the cooking temperature of a food by sticking this probe into the core of this food.

(17) The oven 10 can comprise means for lighting the enclosure 14.

(18) The oven 10 comprises several sensors for measuring parameters. These are for example temperature probes (muffle temperature probe, boiler temperature probe, etc.), position sensors (door sensor 16, etc.), arbitrary detectors (boiler water level probe, state detectors for the inputs and outputs of the electronic cards, number of rotations of a motor, quantity of water consumed, etc.).

(19) The oven 10 furthermore comprises meters of parameters. These are for example monitoring systems associated with components of the oven and intended to meter operating parameters of these components such as numbers of starts/cycles, durations of operation, etc. An electronic card, equipped for example with a microprocessor, may be able to meter parameters of this type by itself.

(20) The oven 10 can comprise several electronic cards for managing data and for controlling the various items of equipment of the oven, such as the electrovalves, the sensors, the pumps, the motors, the lighting means, the boiler, the fan 22, etc.

(21) According to a first aspect of the invention, the oven 10 comprises an integrated memory for recording maintenance data as well as means for recording maintenance data in this memory.

(22) According to another aspect of the invention, which can be used independently of or in combination with the first aforementioned aspect, the oven 10 comprises means of remote communication with a computing server.

(23) According to the first aspect of the invention, the oven 10 is equipped with an integrated memory 36 which is schematically represented here by a dashed rectangle. This memory 36 is for example of the electronic or magnetic type and is linked to the data recording means which are formed here by the control panel 18 and/or by the connection means 28 (USB port). The control panel 18 can indeed comprise means for inputting maintenance data, for example by means of a keyboard or keys, or afford access to a particular mode of recording of the maintenance data. As indicated in the foregoing, the connection means 28 can be used to transmit maintenance data to the oven 10 and to record them in the memory 30, by means of the electronic device 34.

(24) According to the invention, the oven recording means (control panel 18 and/or means of connection 28) are configured to be accessible only to a maintenance operator and/or usable only by such an operator. Thus, these data cannot be recorded on the memory by an unauthorized person such as the user of the oven for example. Access to all or part of the data recorded on the memory by the user can, however, be permitted with a view to the consultation thereof.

(25) The recording means can be configured to be usable by means of a password. This password could for example be necessary in order to access the aforementioned particular menu accessible through the control panel 18. This password could be requested by the electronic device 34 upon its connection to the oven 10, this electronic device advantageously being equipped with appropriate software for connection and communication with the oven 10.

(26) As a variant, the means of connection to the electronic device 34 could be of the wireless type, and for example based on IR, Bluetooth, Wifi, etc.

(27) According to the second aspect of the invention, the oven 10 is equipped with means 38 of remote communication which can for example comprise a SIM card (in the case where the communication is effected through a telephone network, for example 3G), a modem (in the case where the communication is effected through the Internet), an emitter/receiver of low-frequency radio waves (in the case where the communication is effected through the Sigfox network for example), etc. The means 38 are schematically represented here by a dashed rectangle.

(28) FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing steps of a method for maintenance of a non-computing appliance according to the first aspect of the invention, which will be described in what follows in conjunction with the oven 10 of FIG. 1.

(29) In the example represented, the method comprises four steps a1), b1), c1) and d1) of which two a1) and b1) are considered to be essential and two others c1) and d1) to be optional but recommended.

(30) The essential steps of the method of maintenance are: a1) perform a maintenance operation in respect of the appliance, here the oven 10, and then b1) record in the memory 36 data relating to the maintenance operation.

(31) The optional steps are: c1), prior to step a1), consult maintenance data recorded in the memory 36, these maintenance data having been recorded during previous maintenance operations in respect of the oven 10; and d1), after step b1), transmit at least part of the maintenance data to a remote computing server, for example situated at the premises of a manager responsible for the maintenance operation.

(32) Steps a1), b1) and c1) of the method are preferably carried out by one and the same maintenance operator, directly on the site of the user where the oven 10 is situated.

(33) The maintenance operation (step a1)) can consist in replacing one or more components of the oven 10, in carrying out tests on the oven, etc. Data relating to this maintenance operation are then recorded by the operator in the memory 36 of the oven 10 (step b1)). As explained in the foregoing, this recording can be performed directly by means of the control panel 18 or by means of the electronic device 34.

(34) The recorded data are for example the date and time of the maintenance operation, the nature of this operation, the tests carried out, the anomalies or faults detected, the components repaired or replaced, etc.

(35) In the case where the oven 10 has already formed the subject of maintenance operations, the operator can consult the memory 36 of the oven 10 so as to have access to the data relating to these previous operations (step c1)), before commencing the maintenance operation thereof. This can in particular aid and accelerate diagnosis thereof in case of malfunction of the oven 10.

(36) Step d1) of transmitting the maintenance data can be carried out by the oven 10 itself by means of its means 38 of remote communication. This transmission can be performed in an automatic manner at the end of the maintenance operation. Other types of data can be transmitted to the computing server by way of the communication means 38. This is in particular the case in respect of the operating data of the oven 10, which comprise the parameters measured by the various sensors or meters of the oven, which are listed hereinabove, as well as the anomalies which may also be detected by these sensors (when for example the door 16 of the oven is poorly closed/locked, the drainage of the boiler is inoperative, a probe is not operational, the temperature of the muffle is excessive, etc.).

(37) FIG. 3 is a block diagram representing steps of a method for maintenance of a non-computing appliance according to the second aspect of the invention and which will be described in what follows in conjunction with the oven 10 of FIG. 1.

(38) In the example represented, the method comprises three steps a2), b2) and c2), which are: a2) identify a data item representative of the lifetime of at least one component of the appliance, here an oven 10, and determine a threshold value V.sub.S of this data item beyond which a risk of malfunction of the component can occur, b2) monitor the current value V.sub.C of the data item of an oven 10 at a user's premises, c2) perform a maintenance operation in respect of the oven as soon as the current value V.sub.C exceeds the threshold value V.sub.S, with a view to undertaking for example the replacement of the component.

(39) According to the invention, step a2) comprises the sub-steps consisting in obtaining a reference value V.sub.R of the data item, obtaining information IN in respect of one and the same component of several identical or similar ovens at users' premises, and calculating the threshold value V.sub.S on the basis of the reference value V.sub.R and the aforementioned information IN.

(40) By way of example, the monitored component of the oven 10 can be a motor, such as a ventilation motor of the oven 10. According to the data provided by the supplier or the manufacturer, the motor has for example a lifetime of 10 000 hours in use (that is to say it accomplishes its function and retains its properties for 10 000 operating hours of the oven 10). The data item representative of the lifetime of the component is then the number of hours in use and its reference value V.sub.R, here given by the supplier, is 10 000 hours.

(41) The threshold value V.sub.S, with which the current value V.sub.C is compared, is calculated on the basis of the reference value V.sub.R (10 000 hours) and of the information IN. V.sub.S may be less than or greater than V.sub.R, or indeed even equal.

(42) The information IN comprises the maintenance data and the operating data described hereinabove, that is to say the data relating to the maintenance operations, the parameters measured by the sensors, and the anomalies observed. This information IN originates from a population of ovens 10 equipped with a similar or identical component (ventilation motor). This information IN will allow better understanding of the aging of this motor and consequently adjustment of the threshold value V.sub.S, that is to say its effective lifetime.

(43) For example, if it is observed that the ventilation motors of the ovens of the population have exhibited anomalies or have formed the subject of maintenance operations with a view to their replacement after 9 500 hours of use of the oven, the threshold value V.sub.S will be able to be set at 9 500 hours whereas the reference value V.sub.R, that is to say the estimated lifetime provided by the maker, is 10 000 hours.

(44) The information IN is preferably transmitted by the various ovens of the population to the computing server by way of their means 38 of remote communication. Steps a2) and b2) are thus carried out remotely by the computing server. Step c2) is for its part carried out by a maintenance system able to carry out a maintenance operation. This maintenance operation can be carried out remotely or at the user's site, in particular when a replacement of components is necessary.

(45) FIG. 4 is a very schematic view of an installation for implementing the method according to the invention.

(46) In the top right of the drawing are represented non-computing appliances, here kitchen appliances (oven 10 and braiser 10) of a population of appliances. These appliances may be at the premises of a single user or at the premises of several distinct users and therefore be remote from one another. Each appliance is equipped with means 38 of remote communication with the computing server 40. As described in the foregoing, the information IN transmitted by the appliances 10, 10 to the server 40 comprises, in particular, maintenance data and operating data (parameters measured and anomalies detected). This information IN is preferably associated with means of identification of the appliance which has emitted this information, such as an IP address for example. They can also comprise information date-stamping means such as the date and the time of transmission of this information.

(47) The periodicity of transmission of the information IN to the server 40 can depend on the nature of said information. The maintenance data can be transmitted as soon as the corresponding maintenance operation has terminated, that is to say randomly, whereas the operating data can be transmitted more regularly, for example daily.

(48) When a component is replaced during a maintenance operation, it is preferable that the operator in charge of this maintenance updates the data of the appliance relating to this component (reset to zero).

(49) The aim of the server 40 is in particular to process and to monitor the information transmitted by the appliances 10, 10. It is in particular configured to implement steps a2) and b2) of the method according to the invention.

(50) Here the server 40 has access to several databases, such as a database 42 of the maker of the appliances and a database 44 of the manager responsible for the maintenance of the appliances during deployment.

(51) The data of the base 42 comprise for example information about the various components liable to form the subject of a maintenance operation, as well as their estimated lifetime (reference value V.sub.R), technical analyses and autodiagnostics, etc.

(52) The data of the base 44 comprise for example information about the population of appliances to be monitored, the subscribers, the parametrization of the alerts, analysis reports, etc.

(53) The server 40 can be configured to transmit information or afford access to this information to three different targets, the users 46, the manager 48 responsible for the maintenance operations, and the manufacturer 50 of the appliances.

(54) The information transmitted to the user 46 comprises for example analysis reports, notifications about the uses of the appliances, consumption reports, etc.

(55) The information transmitted to the manager 48 comprises on the one hand information making it possible to produce a log of the events (log of breakdowns, error messages, maintenance operations, etc.) and on the other hand to supervise the population remotely and to optimize the maintenance operations. This latter information allows an overview of the operation of the appliances and a planning of the preventive maintenance. As a function of this latter information, the manager 48 will ask operators to intervene at users' premises to carry out maintenance operations.

(56) The information transmitted to the manufacturer 50 allows supervision of the aging of the components and a profiling of the use of the appliances by users. Said information makes it possible for example to compile reports on the actual uses and lifetimes of the appliances/components, analyses of the failure/aging conditions, information about the improvement of the parametrization and autodiagnosis, etc.

(57) Concerning the lifetime of the components, FIGS. 5 and 6 show that they can differ greatly from one component to the next. It is observed that the components corresponding to curves 52 and 54 have similar behaviors, although the component corresponding to curve 52 has a shorter lifetime. It is observed that the component corresponding to curve 56 has a more targeted lifetime since 80% of the failures take place over a shorter period. On the other hand, the component corresponding to curve 58 has a lifetime which is difficult to estimate since this lifetime may be influenced by several factors. For components of this type, the estimation of the lifetime can take account of the criticality of the anomalies detected for these components. A component exhibiting an anomaly whose criticality is low will have a longer estimated lifetime than a component exhibiting an anomaly whose criticality is significant. To this criticality criterion may be added a recurrence criterion for the anomaly. The table of FIG. 7 shows a hierarchization (by means of color codes: R=Red, O=Orange, G=Green and W=White) of the anomalies of a component as a function of their criticality and of their frequency of occurrence (recurrence). R and O signify that the component must be replaced as soon as possible. G and W signify that the component must be monitored. By way of example, in the case where the temperature of an electronic card is monitored, the color codes W, G, O and R can correspond respectively to 60 C., 65 C., 70 C. and 75 C. as regards criticality, and to once, twice, 5 times and 10 times as regards recurrence. In the case where the electronic card reaches 70 C. twice, the table indicates the color code O (Orange), thus signifying that a maintenance operation correcting the cause of this fault must be performed as soon as possible.