Simulation Model Variant Analysis for Configuration Error Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Creating multiple separate simulation models for different configurations of a system consumes significant computer resources and is prone to errors due to duplicated model parts, making it difficult to update and test the models effectively.
Innovation Solution
A single simulation model is created with variant regions containing alternative algorithmic substructures, where only one variant choice is active at a time, and a visualization tool analyzes the activeness of model elements across variant configurations to identify and correct modeling errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate simulation models are created for different configurations, then each configuration can be simulated independently, but computer resources are consumed significantly and errors occur due to duplicated model parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate simulation models into a single unified model that can handle different configurations through variant regions. This consolidation eliminates duplicated model parts while preserving the ability to simulate different system configurations, thereby reducing computer resource consumption and improving reliability by removing redundancy-related errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single simulation model is designed with universal variant regions that can represent multiple configuration options within one model structure. This multi-functional approach allows the model to adapt to different system configurations without requiring separate models, reducing resource usage while maintaining comprehensive simulation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate simulation models are created for different configurations, then each configuration can be simulated independently, but model updates become difficult and testing effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple configuration-specific models into one unified model with variant regions, the patent enables centralized model maintenance. Updates to common model parts need only be made once in the single model, automatically reflecting across all configurations, thereby improving ease of manufacture while preserving configuration flexibility through the variant mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single model is segmented into variant regions that represent different configuration options. This segmentation allows the model to maintain adaptability for different configurations while enabling efficient updates to non-variant portions, resolving the contradiction between configuration flexibility and maintenance ease.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a single simulation model with variant regions is used, then resource consumption is reduced, but it requires analysis tools to identify and correct modeling errors across variant configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates analysis tools that provide feedback about the activeness of model elements across different variant configurations. This feedback mechanism automatically identifies potential modeling errors such as elements that are always inactive or have inconsistent activeness, making error detection straightforward while preserving the resource efficiency of the single unified model approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods may analyze a simulation model that includes model elements configured to operate as variants. The variants may be controlled by variant conditions that may include variant control variables. A group of variant configurations may be defined for the model where each variant configuration may include a different set of the variant control variables. For each variant configuration, the systems and methods may determine which model elements configured to operate as variants are active and which model elements are inactive. The systems and methods may also determine which model elements, if any, are always active, are never active, or are sometimes active. A visualization tool may present the results of the variant configuration analysis in the form of a heatmap, a textual report, an annotated version of the simulation model, or graph, among other forms.