Design failure mode effect analysis (DFMEA)

Abstract

A Design Failure Mode Effect Analysis (DFMEA) method analyzes faults and failures in the design phase of electronic devices. A data-entry mask is used for recording some information concerning the performed analysis and a portion of the recording form is displayed to a user in an electronic display format. The method detects and records past design problems and their corresponding solutions, by a DFMEA method using the data-entry mask form; associates keywords in a database with each problem; associates data concerning each of the design problems, in the same database, including information concerning past fails occurred in similar applications; detects major changes and/or innovations, as well as any improved block or part of a new device with respect to other devices, thereby postulating possible new problems introduced by the new device; and records the new problems and their possible solutions, by the DFMEA method and using the form.

1 . A design failure mode effect analysis (DFMEA) device for analysis of faults and failures in the design of electronic apparatuses and devices, comprising: 
 a data-entry mask to record some information concerning the analysis and in which at least a portion of said data-entry mask is displayed to a user in an electronic display format; and wherein said portion includes at least one link button; and    a file-associating tool structured to attach to said data-entry mask electronic format files concerning the information to be entered through said data-entry mask, the link button enabling connection to the file-associating tool.    
   
   
       2 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 1 , wherein the data-entry mask includes a portion that enables entry of text descriptions of a plurality of recommended actions for correction of the faults and failures.  
   
   
       3 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 1 , wherein the data-entry mask enables the following information items to be introduced: 
 personal information;    a revision date for revising electronic apparatus and devices;    a status of the design of the electronic apparatus and devices; and    protection levels for controlling access to the information concerning the analysis.    
   
   
       4 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a search engine that allows searching any field of said data-entry mask.  
   
   
       5 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 1  wherein the data-entry mask includes a portion for recording past design problems, the DFMEA device further comprising: 
 means for recording keywords in a database associating each of said past design problems to a corresponding keyword.    
   
   
       6 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 means for associating data in the database concerning each of said past design problems, including information concerning past failures that occurred in similar applications.    
   
   
       7 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for entry of at least three revisions of the data-entry mask corresponding to maturity stages of said designed device.  
   
   
       8 . A DFMEA device according to  claim 7 , wherein said at least three revisions are performed at the following stages: 
 design of the designed device;    qualification of the designed device; and    production of the designed device—post-qualification.    
   
   
       9 . A design failure mode effect analysis (DFMEA) method for analysis of faults and failures in the design of electronic devices, comprising: 
 displaying in an electronic display format at least a portion of a data-entry mask to record some information concerning the analysis, wherein the portion includes a link button;    in response to selection of the link button, enabling a user to indicate an electronic format file desired to be attached to the data-entry mask; and    attaching to the data-entry mask the electronic format file indicated by the user.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the data-entry mask includes a portion that enables entry of text descriptions of a plurality of recommended actions for correction of the faults and failures.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the data-entry mask enables the following information items to be introduced: 
 personal information;    a revision date for revising electronic apparatus and devices;    a status of the design of the electronic apparatus and devices; and    protection levels for controlling access to the information concerning the analysis.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising searching any field of the data-entry mask.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 detecting and recording, using the data-entry mask, past design problems.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 recording keywords in a database associating each of said past design problems to a corresponding keyword.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 associating data in the same database concerning each of said past design problems, including information concerning past failures that occurred in similar applications.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , comprising at least three revisions of the data-entry mask corresponding to maturity stages of said designed apparatus or device.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least three revisions are performed at the following stages: 
 design of the designed apparatus or device;    qualification of the designed apparatus or device; and    production of the designed apparatus or device—post-qualification.    
   
   
       18 . An electronic design failure mode effect analysis (DFMEA) form for analysis of faults and failures in the design of electronic devices, comprising: 
 means for causing display in an electronic display format of at least a portion of a data-entry mask to record some information concerning the analysis, wherein the portion includes a link button;    means for responding to selection of the link button by enabling a user to indicate an electronic format file desired to be attached to the data-entry mask; and    means for causing the electronic format file indicated by the user to be attached to the data-entry mask.    
   
   
       19 . The electronic DFMEA form of  claim 18 , wherein the data-entry mask includes a portion that enables entry of text descriptions of a plurality of recommended actions for correction of the faults and failures.  
   
   
       20 . The electronic DFMEA form of  claim 18 , further comprising means for searching any field of the data-entry mask.