Automated Hazard Detection Using Component Fault Trees
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety assessment methods for technical systems are error-prone and time-consuming, requiring separate models for hazard analysis and decomposition, which is inefficient, especially in complex systems like aerospace, automotive, and industrial automation where frequent changes and iterative development strategies are common.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method for automated hazard detection using a component fault tree, where a top-level hazard is selected, a hazard information tree is generated by modifying a subtree, and optimized to reduce nodes, enabling systematic assessment and decomposition, thus eliminating the need for separate models and reducing manual effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate models are used for hazard analysis and decomposition, then safety assessment can be conducted systematically, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges hazard analysis and hazard decomposition into a single integrated model structure. Instead of maintaining separate models for analysis and decomposition, the invention uses one unified model that serves both purposes simultaneously, eliminating the time and errors associated with managing multiple separate models while maintaining systematic safety assessment capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated model serves multiple functions: it performs both hazard analysis and hazard decomposition tasks. This multi-functional approach allows the same model structure to be used for different safety assessment activities, reducing the overall complexity and time required for comprehensive safety evaluation
2Reliability
If separate models are used for hazard analysis and decomposition, then systematic assessment is possible, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining hazard analysis and decomposition into a single model, the patent reduces the number of separate model components that need to be created, maintained, and synchronized. This integration simplifies the overall system architecture while preserving the systematic assessment capability through the unified model's comprehensive structure
3Measurement precision
If manual safety assessment methods are used, then detailed analysis is possible, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated model enables automated hazard detection by allowing the model structure itself to generate hazard information automatically. The model performs self-analysis through its unified structure, eliminating the need for extensive manual analysis while maintaining detailed assessment capabilities through the model's inherent organizational structure
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-based method for automated hazard detection for a technical system, the method includes the step of selecting an output failure mode of a component of a component fault tree of the technical system as a top level hazard. The computer-based method includes the step of generating a hazard information tree by means of a subtree of the component fault tree, wherein the subtree is selected by means of the top level hazard, wherein the subtree is modified by removing predefined nodes from the subtree and by enhancing output failure modes of the subtree with information from which component the output failure modes originate, wherein the modified subtree is saved in a memory unit as hazard information tree. The computer-based method includes the step of evaluating the hazard information tree, and providing a control signal comprising a result of the evaluation.