Automation system

Abstract

Automation system (100), comprising: - Function-providing components (1, 2, 3) that provide functions, - Function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) that access the functions, and - at least one mediating component (7), - wherein the function-providing components (1, 2, 3) are trained to register with the mediating component (7), - wherein the function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) are configured to register with the mediating component (7), and - wherein the function-using components (4, 5, 6) request access to a specific function from at least one mediating component (7) for a function-providing component (1, 2, 3) that provides the specific function, wherein the at least one mediating component (7) enables access to the specific function for the function-using component (4, 5, 6) if such a function-providing component (1, 2, 3) is registered with the at least one mediating component (7), - wherein a first type of function-providing components (1, 2, 3) provides functions for fault management of the automation system (100), and / or - wherein a second type of function-providing components (1, 2, 3) provides functions for license management of the automation system (100), and / or - wherein a third type of function-providing components (1, 2, 3) provides functions for detecting a state of the automation system (100), and - wherein a first type of function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) are components of a programmable logic controller (8), and / or - wherein a second type of function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) are components of a frequency converter (9).

Description

[0001] DE 10 2017 116 706 A1 discloses a platform-to-platform communication architecture for a process control messaging service.

[0002] EP 3 276 437 A1 discloses a method for operating an automation system of a technical installation with an operating and monitoring system having at least one client and two servers.

[0003] DE 10 2019 217 047 A1 discloses a method and a device for managing access of multiple software components to software interfaces.

[0004] DE 197 41 959 C2 discloses a system for processing events in technical processes with a distributed data processing system.

[0005] The invention relates to an automation system that can be operated as flexibly as possible.

[0006] The automation system has one or more function-providing components that provide or offer certain functions.

[0007] The automation system also has function-using components that access the functions.

[0008] The automation system also has one or more intermediary components. The function-providing and / or function-using components register with the intermediary component.

[0009] If a function-using component requires access to a specific function, the function-using component queries the intermediary component for a function-providing component that provides the specific function. If such a function-providing component is registered with the intermediary component, the intermediary component enables access to the specific function for the function-using component, for example, by establishing a communication channel between the two components. If no such function-providing component is registered with the intermediary component, this is communicated to the function-using component and / or an error message is generated.

[0010] A first type of function-providing components provides functions for error management of the automation system, and / or a second type of function-providing components provides functions for license management of the automation system, and / or a third type of function-providing components provides functions for detecting a state of the automation system.

[0011] A first type of function-using components are components of a programmable logic controller, and / or a second type of function-using components are components of a frequency converter.

[0012] In one embodiment, the function-providing components, the function-using components and / or the mediating component are connected to one another by means of a field bus and / or a shared memory for data exchange.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mediating component is designed to activate a function-providing component only as soon as a function-using component requires access to the specific function of the function-providing component, and / or the mediating component is designed to deactivate a function-providing component as soon as no function-using component requires access to the specific function of the function-providing component any longer.

[0014] In one embodiment, the automation system comprises a plurality of microprocessor systems, wherein the function-providing components, the function-utilizing components and the mediating component are executed on at least one of the microprocessor systems, wherein the mediating component is designed to select a microprocessor system on which the function-providing components and / or the function-utilizing components are executed, based on predefinable criteria.

[0015] In one embodiment, the predeterminable criteria are selected from: the most even utilization of the majority of microprocessor systems, the highest possible processing power, and the lowest possible energy consumption.

[0016] The intermediary component coordinates, manages, and distributes data and / or information. The intermediary component ensures that the function-providing and function-using components are aware of each other and can ultimately exchange data. The intermediary component acts like the conductor of an orchestra.

[0017] According to the invention, a fundamental distinction is made between function-providing components, i.e., service providers, and function-using components, i.e., service users. The mediating component handles the registration of the function-providing components and the function-using components and initiates communication between the components. The mediating component thus ensures that the components can then exchange data with each other. The payload data flow then preferably runs directly between the components.

[0018] The mediating component provides, for example, functions or interfaces that the function-providing and function-using components call, for example a function for establishing a connection and a function for registering as a function provider or function user. The resulting information can then be stored, for example, in a shared memory structure. Additional function-providing components and function-using components can be assigned to the shared memory structure at any time, for example during the runtime of the automation system. When a programmable logic controller is started, its processes or components can, for example, log on to or register with the mediating component. The shared memory structure is thus supplemented with the information that the process or component is available, and the required function-providing or function-using components are also stored.Function-using components are also registered. If a process or a function-using component requests a function-providing component that does not exist or has not registered, an error would be generated.

[0019] By using multiple intermediary components, a connection can be established between function-providing components and function-using components across system boundaries or levels, even in distributed automation systems. Information is then also intermediated between the various intermediary components located in each subsystem. For example, only a single function-providing component for license management of the automation system may be present in one subsystem, with function-using components from other subsystems gaining access to this function-providing component for license management by forwarding their request to the intermediary component of their subsystem in the other subsystem containing the function-providing component.

[0020] The mediating component can also provide or generate information about the structure of the components. The mediating component not only identifies each component that provides or uses a function, but also their relationships. This is particularly useful for service and diagnostics in complex automation systems. This allows hardware and software components to be represented. Since these components interact with each other in different contexts, it is important to present these hierarchies in different representations. For example, a frequency converter connected via a fieldbus and installed in a machine module can be represented as an actuator of the machine module from a functional view. From a communication view, the frequency converter is a specific fieldbus participant with a specific address.From a further perspective, the frequency converter is a component connected to a motor. The intermediary component knows all of these dependencies and relationships and can pass them on, for example, to a visualization.

[0021] The invention is described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 a block diagram of an automation system according to the invention with function-providing components, function-using components and a mediating component that functionally couples the function-providing components with the function-using components, Fig. 2 a block diagram of a variant of the Fig. 1, in which the components are linked to each other via a fieldbus for data exchange, Fig. 3 a block diagram of another variant of the Fig. 1, in which the components are coupled to each other for data exchange by means of a shared memory, and Fig. 4 a block diagram of another variant of the Fig. 1 shown automation system with a plurality of microprocessor systems.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a highly schematic diagram of an automation system 100, comprising: function-providing components 1, 2, 3, which provide certain functions required in the automation system 100, function-using components 4, 5, 6, which access the functions, and a mediating component 7.

[0023] The function-providing components 1, 2, 3 are each configured to register with the mediating component 7. Accordingly, the function-using components 4, 5, 6 are also configured to register with the mediating component 7.

[0024] In the event that they require access to a specific function, the function-using components 4, 5, 6 query the intermediary component 7 for a function-providing component 1, 2, 3 that provides the specific function. If such a function-providing component 1, 2, 3 is registered with at least one intermediary component 7, the intermediary component 7 enables access to the specific function for the function-using components 4, 5, 6.

[0025] By way of example, a first type of function-providing component 1 provides functions for error management of the automation system. A second type of function-providing component 2 provides functions for license management of the automation system 100. A third type of function-providing component 3 provides functions for detecting a state of the automation system 100.

[0026] The function-using components 4, 5, 6 are in the present case each components of a programmable logic controller 8. Alternatively or additionally, function-using components can also be, for example, components of frequency converters 9 of the drive system 100.

[0027] The function-providing components 1, 2, 3, the function-using components 4, 5, 6 and / or the mediating component 7 can be configured as shown in Fig. 2 by means of a fieldbus 10 for data exchange. Alternatively or additionally, the function-providing components 1, 2, 3, the function-using components 4, 5, 6 and / or the mediating component 7 can be connected as shown in Fig. 3 shown by means of a shared memory 11 for data exchange.

[0028] The mediating component 7 is designed to activate a function-providing component 1, 2, 3 only as soon as a function-using component 4, 5, 6 requires access to the specific function of the function-providing component 1, 2, 3. Furthermore, the mediating component 7 is designed to deactivate a function-providing component 1, 2, 3 as soon as no function-using component 4, 5, 6 requires access to the specific function of the function-providing component 1, 2, 3.

[0029] Referring to Fig. 4, the automation system 100 can have a plurality of microprocessor systems 12, wherein the function-providing components 1, 2, 3, the function-utilizing components 4, 5, 6, and the at least one mediating component 7 are executed on at least one of the microprocessor systems 12, wherein the mediating component 7 is configured to select a microprocessor system 12 on which the function-providing components 1, 2, 3 and / or the function-utilizing components 4, 5, 6 are executed based on predeterminable criteria. The predeterminable criteria can be, for example, the most even utilization of the plurality of microprocessor systems, the highest possible processing power, or the lowest possible energy consumption.

[0030] Referring again to Fig. 1, the automation system 100 further comprises a first machine element in the form of an exemplary infeed conveyor (left column) with a frequency converter 9, an electric motor 13 controlled by means of the frequency converter 9, a gear 14 controlled by means of the electric motor 13 and a mechanism 15 controlled by means of the gear 14.

[0031] The automation system 100 further comprises a second machine element in the form of an exemplary machining system (middle column) with a frequency converter 9, an electric motor 13 controlled by the frequency converter 9, a gear 14 controlled by the electric motor 13 and a mechanism 15 controlled by the gear 14.

[0032] The automation system 100 further comprises a third machine element in the form of an exemplary discharge conveyor (right column) with a frequency converter 9, an electric motor 13 controlled by the frequency converter 9, a gear 14 controlled by the electric motor 13 and a mechanism 15 controlled by the gear 14.

[0033] Each of these machine elements comprises the following core elements: mechanics, for example in the form of conveyor belts, saws, drills, and gluing devices; actuators for the mechanics, for example in the form of gears and motors; stimulators of the actuators, for example in the form of frequency converters and IO modules; and control software for machine technologies.

[0034] The operation of the Fig. 1 shown automation system 100 is described below.

[0035] In a first step, all electrical components of the automation system 100 are switched on.

[0036] Then, in a second step, the function-providing components 1, 2, 3 log on to the intermediary component 7 and make their functions available to the automation system 100. The functions include error management, which provides handling of all hardware and software errors in the automation system 100, functions for license management of the automation system 100, i.e., the provision of all relevant data for time-optimized system analysis and maintenance, and functions for recording a status of the automation system 100, i.e., the provision of relevant data for system efficiency monitoring and system process improvement.

[0037] The actual system control of the programmable logic controller 8 is then started.

[0038] The function-using components 4, 5, 6 then register with the mediating component 7 and inform the mediating component 7 which universal machine functions they use and which data they are to be supplied with.

[0039] Actuators in a control cabinet, such as the frequency converters 11, have a digital interface and supply data directly to the automation system 100 and thus to the universal system functions.

[0040] For actuators that do not have a digital interface, such as motors 13, gears 14, and mechanical elements 15, digital images are automatically generated, and the corresponding data is stored in the intermediary component 7. This can also be done during a registration process with the intermediary component 7. The data of the hardware elements 13 to 15 can be generated, for example, using CAD software and stored in the automation system 100. A registration process for components on the fieldbus 10 and for associated processes can be carried out directly via the intermediary component 7.

[0041] Data handling during system runtime is performed as follows.

[0042] Because the function-providing component 1 registers for error management with the intermediary component 7, each function-using component can easily and standardize its error and message reporting. This allows each message to be uniquely assigned to a component, regardless of whether it is hardware or software. Downstream systems, such as local or remote visualizations, can clearly display the errors.

[0043] After the function-providing component 2 for license management has provided its function by registering with the intermediary component 7, the intermediary component 7 communicates this to the other components, which can now provide data. The function-providing component 2 for license management can have its own database for this purpose, which fills it with data directly from the hardware and software elements. If a request is then made to the function-providing component 2 for license management from internal or external sources, it forwards the data to the requesting component, for example, via a standardized OPC UA interface. This enables the automation system 100 to provide status and location information for all of its components.

[0044] Multiple intermediary components can also be networked across systems or devices to utilize the invention in distributed systems. For example, an intermediary component in a first subsystem can ensure that a request from a service-using component is not processed in its own subsystem, but rather that a function-providing component in another subsystem is used. The intermediary components then ensure that the data from the function-using component is transmitted across system boundaries to the correct function-providing component.

[0045] New, later-added components that provide or utilize functions can also be made known to the automation system 100 during its runtime. The intermediary component is designed to register new components and make them available during runtime.

[0046] A key feature of the intermediary component is its resource-efficient control of the function-providing components. A function-providing component is only activated or executed when at least one function-using component requests it. If the function-providing component is no longer accessed by any component, it is deactivated again. This saves memory requirements and processor runtime.

[0047] To activate a component, for example, the associated program code can first be loaded into the main memory of a microprocessor system in the form of a so-called shared object. An initialization function of the component is then called, after which the component itself may allocate additional resources of the microprocessor system.

[0048] If necessary, the mediating component can perform load balancing by outsourcing function-providing services to other target systems, for example to ensure the real-time capability of a system.

Claims

[1] Automation system (100), comprising: - function-providing components (1, 2, 3) that provide functions, - function-using components (4, 5, 6) that access the functions, and - at least one mediating component (7), - wherein the function-providing components (1, 2, 3) are designed to register with the mediating component (7), - wherein the function-using components (4, 5, 6) are designed to register with the mediating component (7), and - wherein the function-using components (4, 5, 6), in the event that they require access to a specific function, request from the at least one mediating component (7) a function-providing component (1, 2, 3) that provides the specific function, wherein the at least one mediating component (7), in the event that such a function-providing component (1, 2, 3) is registered with the at least one mediating component (7), enables access to the specific function for the function-using component (4, 5, 6), - wherein a first type of function-providing components (1, 2, 3) provides functions for error management of the automation system (100), and / or - wherein a second type of function-providing components (1, 2, 3) provides functions for license management of the automation system (100), and / or - wherein a third type of function-providing components (1, 2, 3) provides functions for detecting a state of the automation system (100), and - wherein a first type of function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) are components of a programmable logic controller (8), and / or - wherein a second type of function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) are components of a frequency converter (9). [2] Automation system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the function-providing components (1, 2, 3), the function-using components (4, 5, 6) and / or the mediating component (7) are connected by means of a field bus (10) for data exchange. [3] Automation system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the function-providing components (1, 2, 3), the function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) and / or the mediating component (7) are connected by means of a shared memory (11) for data exchange. [4] Automation system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the mediating component (7) is designed to activate a function-providing component (1, 2, 3) only as soon as a function-using component (4, 5, 6) requires access to the specific function of the function-providing component (1, 2, 3), and / or - the mediating component (7) is designed to deactivate a function-providing component (1, 2, 3) as soon as no function-using component (4, 5, 6) requires access to the specific function of the function-providing component (1, 2, 3) any longer. [5] Automation system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the automation system (100) has a plurality of microprocessor systems (12), wherein the function-providing components (1, 2, 3), the function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) and the at least one mediating component (7) are executed on at least one of the microprocessor systems (12), wherein the mediating component (7) is designed to select a microprocessor system (12) on which the function-providing components (1, 2, 3) and / or the function-utilizing components (4, 5, 6) are executed, based on predefinable criteria. [6] Automation system (100) according to claim 5, characterized by , that - the specified criteria are selected from: - the most even possible utilization of the majority of microprocessor systems (12), the highest possible processing power, and the lowest possible energy consumption.

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