Production Path Pattern Analysis for Defective Device Sequences

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods cannot identify sequential orders of multiple devices that produce defective products in a production line, especially when negative interactions occur between devices, leading to defective products due to combinations of processes like drilling and screwing.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus and method that analyze production path data to identify sequential orders of devices contributing to defective products by generating and evaluating path patterns, estimating their quality, and identifying patterns with a predetermined threshold of defectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single device is identified as defective using existing methods, then the identification process is simple, but sequential orders of multiple devices producing defective products cannot be identified

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification process complexityVSAvoididentification precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the production path into multiple discrete device steps and analyzes each segment's contribution to product quality. By dividing the overall production process into individual device segments and evaluating their sequential interactions, the system can identify specific device combinations and orders that cause defects, rather than treating the production line as a single unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of analysis by considering not just individual device performance but also the sequential order and combinations of devices. This transforms the problem from one-dimensional (single device evaluation) to multi-dimensional (device sequences, paths, and interactions), enabling identification of defective device orders that single-device analysis cannot detect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If path patterns of multiple devices are analyzed to identify defective sequences, then sequential orders producing defective products can be identified, but the analysis complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification precisionVSAvoidanalysis complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining and storing multiple possible production paths and device sequences in a database before actual defect analysis. This preparation work includes establishing the hierarchical structure of device combinations and sequences, which reduces the computational burden during actual defect identification by avoiding exhaustive real-time analysis of all possible device orderings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified representations (copies) of production paths and device sequences as structured data models. Instead of analyzing the complex physical production system directly, the system works with copied digital representations of production paths, device orders, and quality data, which can be manipulated and analyzed more efficiently while preserving the essential relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3767415B1Device, method, and computer program that identify abnormal facilities
Publication Date: 2023.11.15 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3767415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3767415B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3767415B1 patent drawingFigure 2D

AI summary

An apparatus for identifying a path pattern of devices that produces a defective product in a production line where a product is produced via a plurality of device is provided. The device is configured to estimate a path pattern quality indicating a quality of a group of products produced through a production path included in a path pattern, based on a production path quality and an association relationship between a path pattern and a production path indicating devices via which the product is produced and an order of passing through the devices; and to identify a path pattern suspected to be defective based on the estimated path pattern quality.