Edge Predictive Maintenance With Local Actuation for Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current predictive maintenance techniques for equipment in industries like semiconductor fabrication rely heavily on cloud computing, which leads to high latency, increased costs, and environmental concerns due to energy-intensive processing, and fail to provide real-time insights effectively, resulting in unplanned downtime and significant financial losses.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing edge computing nodes that capture raw input data, process it locally to identify deviations, and perform automated actuations, while also training AI models through adaptive federated learning to predict equipment deterioration, thereby reducing reliance on cloud processing and minimizing data transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If cloud computing is used for processing raw input data, then computational power and storage capacity are improved, but data transmission latency and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational powerVSAvoiddata transmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the centralized cloud computing architecture into distributed edge computing nodes deployed at multiple locations. Each edge node independently processes raw input data locally, eliminating the need for data transmission to centralized cloud data centers. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing sufficient computational power through distributed processing while eliminating data transmission latency entirely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Edge computing nodes serve as intermediaries between data capture devices and the final analysis system. These intermediate processing points perform local data processing and filtering, reducing the need for continuous data transmission to cloud infrastructure. This intermediary approach maintains computational capabilities while minimizing transmission delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If cloud computing is used for predictive maintenance processing, then processing capability is improved, but processing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidprocessing costs
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the processing workload across multiple distributed edge computing nodes rather than concentrating all processing in centralized cloud data centers. This segmentation allows each node to handle local processing tasks independently, reducing the need for energy-intensive data transmission and centralized processing infrastructure, thereby lowering overall processing costs while maintaining adequate processing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Edge computing nodes perform self-service processing by autonomously analyzing raw input data locally without requiring continuous intervention from centralized cloud resources. This self-service capability eliminates the need for expensive, energy-intensive cloud processing for routine analytical tasks, reducing processing costs while maintaining sufficient processing capability through distributed intelligence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Power

If cloud computing is used for data processing, then computational resources are improved, but carbon emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational resourcesVSAvoidcarbon emissions
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the centralized cloud computing model into distributed edge computing nodes, the system eliminates the need for large-scale, energy-intensive data centers. Each edge node uses local computational resources efficiently, dramatically reducing the carbon footprint associated with data transmission and centralized processing while maintaining adequate computational resources through distributed processing power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the previously harmful effect of energy-intensive cloud data center operations into a beneficial distributed processing architecture. By deploying edge computing nodes throughout the network, the system transforms the need for centralized computational power into a distributed model that reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions while maintaining or improving processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Measurement precision

If cloud-based predictive maintenance is implemented, then processing accuracy is improved, but real-time response capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidreal-time response capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the processing function across distributed edge computing nodes that are strategically positioned close to data sources. This segmentation enables local processing with high accuracy while eliminating data transmission delays, thereby achieving both high measurement precision and real-time response capability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Edge computing nodes perform preliminary data processing and analysis locally before any potential cloud interaction. This preliminary action ensures that critical real-time decisions are made with high accuracy based on local processing capabilities, eliminating the need to wait for cloud-based analysis and thereby achieving both processing accuracy and real-time response.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11703850B2Predictive maintenance of equipment
Publication Date: 2023.07.18 ACCENTURE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS LTD
  • US11703850B2 patent drawing
  • US11703850B2 patent drawing
  • US11703850B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for facilitating predictive maintenance of an equipment is disclosed. The system may include a data capturer, a plurality of edge computing nodes and a cloud computing device. Each edge computing node may include a first processor. The cloud computing device may include a second processor. The first processor may receive the raw input data from the data capturer and may process the raw input data to obtain a representative data. The representative data may include an insight pertaining to a deviation in the at least one variable and a corresponding remedial action to be taken to correct the deviation. The deviation may be related to a deterioration in the condition of the equipment. The respective edge computing node may facilitate a regulation of the deviation by performing an automated actuation based on the corresponding remedial action.