Blockchain Remote Verification for Reconfigurable Production Unit Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing frequency of production unit reconfigurations in Industry 4.0 environments necessitates frequent on-site verification of machine safety, which is costly and inefficient due to expert travel times.
Innovation Solution
A remote certification system using blockchain technology that enables automated, internet-based verification of machine safety by transmitting safety-relevant information from production units to a verification module, which applies a test algorithm to assess compliance with safety standards and generates digital certificates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If on-site verification by experts is performed, then machine safety verification reliability is improved, but time consumption and cost increase due to expert travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the production unit's safety-relevant information and transmits it to a remote verification module. This allows experts to verify machine safety remotely without traveling to the site, thus maintaining verification reliability while eliminating travel time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication interface and data transmission system as intermediaries between the production unit and the verification module. These intermediaries enable the transfer of safety information remotely, allowing expert verification to occur without physical presence at the production site.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent reconfiguration of production units is performed, then adaptability and productivity are improved, but verification complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the verification process into modular components: safety parameter detection, data transmission, and remote verification. This modular approach simplifies the overall verification process, making it easier to handle frequent reconfigurations without increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The production unit automatically detects and transmits its own safety-relevant parameters to the verification module without requiring manual intervention. This self-service capability reduces verification complexity during frequent reconfigurations, as the system autonomously provides the necessary information.
3Productivity
If automated remote verification is implemented, then time efficiency and cost are improved, but system complexity increases due to blockchain integration
Solution Approach 1:
The verification module serves multiple functions: it receives safety parameters, performs verification, and issues certificates. By consolidating these functions in a single remote module, the system achieves high verification efficiency without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the verification module receives safety parameters, performs automated verification, and returns verification results to the production unit. This automated feedback mechanism increases verification efficiency while keeping the system architecture manageable through clear information flow.
Data Source
AI summary
A system is provided which includes at least two production units, which interact in a production process, and a verification module. Each production unit of the at least two production units includes a service module and is configured to transmit first information about one or more features of the production unit to the verification module. The verification module is configured to transmit, to at least one of the at least two production units, second information designating whether the at least two production units exhibit an admissible configuration or whether the at least two production units exhibit no admissible configuration.