Multidisciplinary Templates for Cross-Discipline Data Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multidisciplinary engineering systems, manual synchronization of discipline-specific data is time-consuming and error-prone, leading to inconsistencies and quality issues across different engineering disciplines.

Innovation Solution

Reusable multidisciplinary templates are created to link engineering objects and parameters across disciplines based on role, responsibility, or department, allowing changes to be propagated and facilitating data connections, workflows, and sign-off procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual synchronization of discipline-specific data is used, then each discipline can work independently with its own data representation, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscipline independenceVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal template structure that serves multiple engineering disciplines simultaneously. A single template can be instantiated across different disciplines (mechanical, electrical, automation, project management) with discipline-specific parameter sets, eliminating the need for separate manual data synchronization processes while maintaining discipline independence.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses template instantiation where a master template is copied and adapted for different disciplines. Changes to the master template automatically propagate to all instantiated copies across disciplines, replacing manual synchronization with automated template-based replication while allowing each discipline to work with its own customized version.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual synchronization of discipline-specific data is used, then each discipline maintains its own data representation, but inconsistencies and errors occur during data transport

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscipline-specific data representationVSAvoiddata consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The template instantiation mechanism ensures that all disciplines work from copies of the same master template, guaranteeing data consistency. When the master template is updated, all instantiated copies are automatically synchronized, eliminating inconsistencies and errors that occur during manual data transport between disciplines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements automated feedback loops where changes to the master template are automatically detected and propagated to all discipline-specific instances. This feedback mechanism ensures that all disciplines always work with the most current data version, maintaining reliability without sacrificing discipline-specific representation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate discipline-specific templates are used, then each discipline can work with its own data format, but the overall system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediscipline-specific data handlingVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges separate discipline-specific templates into a unified master template structure. Instead of maintaining independent templates for each discipline, the system combines them into a single hierarchical template that automatically generates discipline-specific instances, reducing system complexity while preserving the ability to handle diverse data formats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The master template is designed to be universal, serving multiple disciplines simultaneously with a single data structure. This multi-functional template can be instantiated for mechanical, electrical, automation, and project management disciplines, each accessing relevant parameters while sharing the same underlying template, thereby reducing overall system complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3286700B1Templates in a multidisciplinary engineering system
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3286700B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3286700B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3286700B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The preferred embodiments described include methods, systems, and computer readable media for linking data in a multidisciplinary engineering system. One or more multidisciplinary templates are created for a multidisciplinary engineering system. Reusable multidisciplinary templates link engineering objects and parameters between engineering disciplines. The objects and parameters in the template may be linked to one or more disciplines based on role, responsibility, department or other criteria. Changes to the template may be propagated to each discipline affected by the changes. The template may also link data entered at the engineering applications (307) and facilitate workflows and sign-off procedures between applications (307).