Simulation Model Input Output Variable Assignment Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual assignment of input and output variables in simulation models is labor-intensive, error-prone, and prone to faults, leading to incorrect results or model crashes, especially in complex processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for automatically assigning input variables to output variables based on a defined sequence and category, using inport and outport connectors within component blocks, and generating overall model readouts through an automated configuration tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual assignment of input and output variables is performed, then flexibility in model configuration is maintained, but configuration time and error rate increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic input/output variable assignment based on process sequence information, allowing the configuration tool to serve itself rather than requiring manual user input for each variable assignment. The tool automatically matches output variables from upstream components with input variables of downstream components based on the defined process sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of assigning variables is replaced with an automated computational system. The configuration tool uses algorithmic processing to match variables based on process sequence, substituting the manual clicking and dragging operations with automated data processing and variable matching logic.
2Ease of operation
If manual assignment of input and output variables is performed, then user control over variable mapping is maintained, but error rate and model reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates validation mechanisms that check the automatic variable assignments against the process sequence definition. The configuration tool provides feedback to verify that output variables are correctly matched with corresponding input variables based on the process flow, ensuring logical consistency and detecting potential errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual process of assigning variables is replaced with automated computational matching based on process sequence. This substitution eliminates human errors in variable mapping while maintaining the intended process logic through algorithmic enforcement of the defined sequence relationships.
3Productivity
If automatic input/output assignment is implemented, then configuration time is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The process sequence is defined in advance before the variable assignment occurs. By pre-defining the process sequence with the ordered arrangement of components and their relationships, the system prepares the framework that enables automatic variable matching, reducing the complexity of the assignment process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration tool serves multiple functions: it manages process sequence definition, performs automatic variable assignment, validates connections, and generates the simulation model. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate manual operations into a single integrated automated system.
4Productivity
If automatic model readout creation is implemented, then configuration effort is reduced, but automation extent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration tool automatically creates model readouts by identifying relevant output variables based on the process sequence and simulation requirements. The system serves itself by autonomously determining which variables need to be exposed as readouts without requiring manual user specification for each readout.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for configuring a model of a process. A model of a process is provided, which follows a particular sequence. Such a model includes a plurality of component sub-models, wherein each component sub-model among the component sub-models includes one or more input variables and one or more output variables. Such a method and system also generally includes automatically assigning one or more output variables to one or more input variables based on information associated with the particular sequence of the process.