MBSE Impact Analysis Using Element Relationship Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Identifying the impact of engineering changes on a system is a manual and time-consuming process in traditional systems engineering, making it difficult to manage and trace changes effectively.

Innovation Solution

A model-based systems engineering tool that utilizes a relations database to determine and visualize the impact of changes on a system model by establishing pre-established relationships between elements, generating graphics and lists to illustrate these relationships, and providing an automated impact analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual impact analysis is used in traditional systems engineering, then experts can identify affected system parts, but the process is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of impact identificationVSAvoidtime required for impact analysis

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of impact analysis with an automated computer-based system. The system uses a processor to automatically traverse the system model database, identify relationships between elements, and generate impact analysis reports, eliminating the need for manual expert analysis while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a digital copy of the system model in a structured database format, allowing the computer to analyze relationships and impacts without manipulating the actual physical system or requiring physical documentation review. This digital representation enables automated traversal and analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Loss of information

If documentation-based systems are used, then system information can be stored, but it is difficult to manage and trace changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of system informationVSAvoidease of change management

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional documentation-based systems with a computerized database system that automatically tracks and manages system model relationships. The processor systematically traverses the database to identify affected elements, providing automated change management and tracing capabilities that are difficult to achieve with manual documentation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system model database serves multiple functions: storing system information, defining relationships between elements, enabling impact analysis, and supporting change management. This multi-functional database approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate documentation systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If experts manually analyze system changes, then detailed impact assessment can be performed, but the process requires significant human resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of impact assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of analysis process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex manual expert analysis with an automated computer-based system that systematically traverses the system model database. The processor follows predefined relationship paths to identify affected elements, maintaining reliability through systematic analysis while reducing the complexity of the analysis process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the system model into discrete elements with defined relationships stored in a database structure. This segmentation allows the computer to systematically traverse specific relationship paths (such as allocation relationships) rather than requiring experts to mentally process the entire system at once, maintaining thoroughness while simplifying the analysis approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12566901B2Model-based systems engineering tool utilizing impact analysis

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A model-based systems engineering tool that determines an impact analysis of a change upon a system model includes a relations database storing a framework describing pre-established relationships between a plurality of elements that are part of the system model. The pre-established relationships are determined based on a model-based systems engineering architecture. The model-based systems engineering tool includes one or more processors in electronic communication with the relations database and a memory coupled to the processors. The memory stores data into one or more databases and program code that causes the model-based systems engineering tool to receive an indication to change a root element, wherein the root element is one of the plurality of elements that are part of the system model. In response to receiving the indication to change the root element, the model-based systems engineering tool determines a first level of elements of the system model.