Sensor Maintenance Data Labeling for Deterioration Prediction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The high cost of maintenance for sensors in industrial plants due to the need for specialized workers and periodic maintenance, as well as the increased cost of manually preparing teacher data for machine learning-based deterioration determination, is a significant challenge.

Innovation Solution

An information processing device and method that acquires measured and characteristic data from sensors, generates teacher data by associating settling time with historical data, and uses machine learning to determine necessary maintenance, reducing the need for specialized workers and manual data preparation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If periodic maintenance is performed on all sensors in a predetermined cycle, then sensor reliability is maintained, but maintenance costs increase due to unnecessary maintenance on sensors that do not require it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensor reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the maintenance parameter from fixed periodic intervals to variable intervals based on actual sensor deterioration state. The determination device calculates deterioration degrees using machine learning models and adjusts maintenance timing accordingly, allowing sensors to be maintained only when necessary rather than following a rigid schedule for all sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables sensors to essentially self-diagnose their own state through the determination device that calculates deterioration degrees and predicts remaining useful life. This automated assessment replaces manual inspection and allows the system to identify which sensors need maintenance without human intervention, reducing unnecessary maintenance actions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If machine learning is used to determine sensor deterioration, then maintenance precision is improved, but the complexity of data preparation increases due to manual teacher data creation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeterioration determination precisionVSAvoiddata preparation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically collecting and preparing training data before machine learning model execution. The determination device gathers historical sensor data and automatically associates it with maintenance outcomes to create teacher data, eliminating the need for manual data preparation and enabling seamless deployment of machine learning models

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The determination device acts as an intermediary between raw sensor data and machine learning models. It automatically processes, cleans, and structures data into the required teacher data format, serving as a bridge that eliminates the manual data preparation bottleneck and enables straightforward integration of machine learning capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If specialized maintenance workers are deployed to measure characteristic data, then measurement precision is improved, but labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecharacteristic data measurement precisionVSAvoidlabor cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of specialized workers physically measuring characteristic data with an automated determination device that calculates deterioration degrees from operational data. This substitution eliminates the need for specialized labor while maintaining or improving measurement precision through consistent, objective algorithmic assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-assessment of sensor characteristics by automatically calculating deterioration degrees from operational data without requiring external specialized workers. The determination device performs what previously required expert intervention, allowing the system to self-diagnose sensor health status using readily available operational parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3324253B1Information processing device, maintenance apparatus, information processing method, program, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2021.05.12 YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP3324253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3324253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3324253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first acquirer configured to acquire measured data of a sensor, a second acquirer configured to acquire characteristic data of the sensor, the characteristic data having been acquired by maintaining the sensor, and a first generator configured to generate teacher data in which the acquired characteristic data is associated as label information with the acquired measured data.