Digital Twin Creation Using Segmented Descriptive and Communication Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for creating digital twins in production environments are complex and lack scalability, as they do not effectively separate descriptive data from communication information, making it difficult to efficiently produce and manage digital twins for various machines and applications.

Innovation Solution

A method that clearly separates descriptive data from communication information using a descriptive meta model, allowing for the use of prestructured data and enabling the creation of digital twins for both simple and complex machines, and enabling the composition of digital twins from smaller machines, independent of implementation details such as bus systems or operating systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If digital twins are created for multiple machines without a standardized approach, then each digital twin can be customized to specific machine requirements, but the complexity and cost of production increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments digital twin data into two distinct categories: descriptive data (machine-specific properties, characteristics, and parameters) and communication information (standardized data exchange protocols and interfaces). This segmentation allows each digital twin to be customized through its descriptive data while reusing the standardized communication framework, thereby reducing overall production complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal communication framework that can be applied across multiple machines and industries. By defining standardized communication information and interfaces that work across different machine types, the system achieves multi-functionality where the same communication infrastructure supports diverse machine-specific applications, reducing the need to create entirely separate systems for each machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If digital twins are created for each specific machine individually, then each digital twin accurately represents its machine, but the time and resources required for production increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of digital twin representationVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining standardized communication information templates and frameworks before creating individual digital twins. These pre-established communication protocols and interface definitions can be reused across multiple machines, allowing rapid deployment of new digital twins without repeating the entire creation process, thus improving production efficiency while maintaining accuracy through machine-specific descriptive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables copying of the standardized communication information framework from one digital twin to another. Once a communication framework is established for one machine, it can be copied and adapted for other machines, significantly reducing the time and resources required to create additional digital twins while preserving the accuracy needed for each specific machine through customization of descriptive data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of manufacture

If digital twins are created without separating descriptive data from communication information, then the initial creation process is simpler, but scalability to complex machines and compositions of multiple machines becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial creation simplicityVSAvoidscalability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by clearly separating descriptive data from communication information in the digital twin architecture. This separation allows the communication framework to be independently standardized and reused across multiple machines, enabling scalability to complex systems and compositions of multiple machines while keeping the initial creation process manageable through modular data organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If digital twins are created with implementation-specific details included, then the digital twins can be precisely tailored to specific systems, but they become dependent on particular bus systems, protocols, or operating systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetailoring precisionVSAvoidindependence from implementation details
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments implementation-specific details into a separate communication information layer that is distinct from the core descriptive data. This allows digital twins to be precisely tailored through their descriptive data while maintaining independence from specific bus systems, protocols, or operating systems by using standardized communication interfaces that can adapt to different implementation environments without affecting the core digital twin model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11588917B2Method for a communication between an application and a machine in a production
Publication Date: 2023.02.21 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • US11588917B2 patent drawing
  • US11588917B2 patent drawing
  • US11588917B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for a communication between an application and a machine in a production or a physical object with the aid of a digital twin of a machine in a production or a physical object. Descriptive data including properties of digital data are generated based on a descriptive meta model. In addition, communication information is produced. To create the digital twin, the descriptive data, the communication information and a designation of the machine or the physical object are combined and stored in a list in order to create the digital twin. The application reads out the information of the list and uses it for a data exchange with the machine.