Edge Server for Dynamic Equipment Analysis Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing IoT-based equipment analysis systems in factories face challenges in analyzing equipment without disrupting ongoing work processes, as they require maintenance or parameter changes that can halt production and are costly to implement, especially when equipment constraints and load management are not effectively addressed.
Innovation Solution
An equipment analysis support apparatus that includes an equipment constraint information storage unit, a work process information acquisition unit, a configuration information generation unit, and a processing execution unit, which dynamically adjusts the analysis configuration based on changing work states to ensure continuous analysis without inhibiting production, by using an edge server and cloud system to manage sensor data and processing nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a device is introduced to replicate database contents to enable IoT app access, then equipment analysis capability is improved, but manufacturing line must be temporarily stopped and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge server as an intermediary component that collects sensor data from multiple equipment and performs preprocessing locally. This edge server acts as a mediator between the existing equipment and IoT apps, enabling data access without requiring direct modifications to equipment or database replication, thus avoiding production interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying the entire database contents to enable app access, the patent creates a simplified copy mechanism where the edge server maintains essential sensor data and processed results locally. This selective copying approach provides necessary data access functionality without requiring full database replication that would halt production.
2Adaptability or versatility
If maintenance or parameter changes are performed on existing equipment to enable IoT app access, then equipment analysis capability is improved, but original work (product manufacturing) is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data processing functionality into two parts: the existing equipment continues its primary manufacturing function while the edge server handles data collection, preprocessing, and analysis functions. This segmentation allows IoT app access capability to be added without modifying or stopping the original equipment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The edge server autonomously collects sensor data from equipment, performs preprocessing operations (data shaping, cleansing, aggregation), and makes results available to IoT apps. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual maintenance or parameter changes on existing equipment, allowing continuous product manufacturing while providing analysis functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If new devices are introduced into existing equipment environment, then equipment analysis capability is improved, but manufacturing line must be temporarily stopped
Solution Approach 1:
The edge server is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a data collection point for IoT apps and as a preprocessing node that maintains compatibility with existing equipment protocols. This universal design allows the edge server to be integrated into the existing manufacturing environment without requiring production stoppage, as it can operate alongside existing equipment without disrupting current workflows.
Data Source
AI summary
An equipment analysis support apparatus includes an equipment constraint information storage unit that stores equipment constraint information which is a correspondence relationship between each process constituting work performed using a plurality of pieces of equipment and a constraint to be imposed on the equipment in each process; a work process information acquisition unit that acquires work process information which is information on a process of the work currently in progress; a configuration information generation unit that, when it is determined that a current work state is changed, specifies a constraint to be imposed on the equipment in the changed work state and generates a configuration of analysis processing of the equipment satisfying the specified constraint based on the acquired work process information and the equipment constraint information; and a processing execution unit that performs processing necessary for analysis of the equipment based on the generated configuration.