Processing Plant Fault Analysis Using Linked Process Values

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for fault analysis and deviation prediction in process engineering plants, such as paint shops, are inefficient and unreliable, lacking in automated detection and cause identification of fault situations.

Innovation Solution

A method for fault analysis that automatically detects fault situations, determines their causes, and predicts process deviations by linking process values based on criteria like plant position, historical data, and user selection, using machine learning and expert rules to create predictive models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If automated fault detection and cause identification systems are implemented, then fault analysis reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault analysis reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automated self-diagnosis by automatically detecting fault situations, identifying causes, and linking relevant process values without requiring manual intervention. The fault analysis system autonomously queries historical data, applies evaluation criteria, and generates diagnostic results, enabling the system to serve itself in fault detection and analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring process data, comparing current states with historical fault patterns, and automatically adjusting diagnostic conclusions based on evaluated criteria. The feedback loop enables the system to learn from historical fault situations and improve diagnostic accuracy over time through iterative analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If comprehensive process data is collected and analyzed for fault detection, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault detection precisionVSAvoidanalysis time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-collecting and organizing process data during normal operation, maintaining ready-to-use historical fault databases, and pre-establishing evaluation criteria. When a fault occurs, the system can immediately query pre-prepared data and apply predefined analysis methods, significantly reducing the time required for fault diagnosis while maintaining high measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If historical fault data is extensively queried and compared, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault analysis accuracyVSAvoiddata processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by selectively querying only the most relevant historical fault data based on current fault symptoms and pre-established evaluation criteria. Instead of exhaustively analyzing all historical data, the system focuses on pertinent cases that match current conditions, achieving high diagnostic accuracy while minimizing data processing time through targeted queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3966648B1Analysis method and devices therefor
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 DUERR SYST AG
  • EP3966648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3966648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3966648B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In order to provide a method for fault analysis in a processing plant, for example a painting plant, by means of which fault situations can be easily and reliably analysed, according to the invention said method comprises the following: identifying, in particular automatically, a fault situation in the processing plant (101); storing, in a fault database (136), a fault situation data record for each fault situation that has been identified; automatically determining a fault cause for the fault situation, and/or automatically determining process values relevant to the fault situation, on the basis of the fault data record for the respective fault situation that has been identified.