Method for a computer-aided generation of a decentralized electrical topology for a machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a method (100) for a computer-aided generation of a decentralized electrical topology for a machine (1), in particular of a facility (1), on the basis of an installation specification (200), having the steps of: ascertaining (101) at least one piece of installation information from the installation specification (200), in particular from a digitized wiring diagram and / or construction plan, said installation specification (200) specifying the functionality of the machine (1), wherein the at least one piece of installation information preferably comprises eCAD and / or mCAD data; simulating (102) at least one decentralized electrical topology of electric components, which are arranged in a spatially decentralized manner (4), of the machine (1), said simulation being carried out on the basis of the at least one ascertained piece of installation information while taking into consideration the specified functionality of the machine (1); and initiating (103) the output of at least one decentralized electrical topology on the basis of the simulation (102).

Description

[0001] Murrelektronik GmbH

[0002] Method for computer-aided creation of a decentralized electrical topology for a machine

[0003] Technical area

[0004] The present invention relates generally to the field of planning, installation and setup of electrical machines such as electrical systems in automation technology and, in particular, to a method for computer-aided creation of a decentralized, electrical topology for a machine.

[0005] background

[0006] Planning, installing, and setting up electrical automation technology is a complex task. This applies to centralized control cabinet concepts as well as decentralized concepts in which control modules are attached directly to the equipment. The corresponding processes are carried out by various people, such as system planners, electrical engineers, installers, system programmers, etc.

[0007] One challenge here is designing the topology for the electrical installation technology. Topology refers specifically to the arrangement of components such as sensors, actuators, modules, and cables. When implementing decentralized concepts, planning the topology with regard to the electrical components to be connected, the number of modules, the connections between components and individual modules, and the connections between modules can be a complex task.

[0008] It is therefore an object underlying the invention to propose an improved solution for creating a decentralized, electrical topology and to at least partially overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] Summary of the invention

[0010] The above object is achieved by a method, system, computer program, and a data processing device according to the independent patent claims. Further features and details of the invention emerge from the respective subclaims, the description, and the drawings. The subject matter of the invention is, in particular, a method for computer-aided creation of a decentralized electrical topology for a machine, in particular a system, based on an installation specification.

[0011] The machine can be designed as at least one of the following machines:

[0012] An automation system,

[0013] A production facility,

[0014] A logistics facility,

[0015] A production line,

[0016] A machining center,

[0017] An industrial robot,

[0018] A manufacturing facility,

[0019] An aggregate,

[0020] An electrical device.

[0021] In particular, the machine can be designed as a modular machine or as a mobile or movable machine, in which individual parts of the machine are installed modularly according to an installation specification. This installation is carried out at least partially manually by a user, such as a worker.

[0022] The electrical components can be connection modules, which enable a decentralized and modular connection of installation elements. Decentralized can refer to the fact that the connection modules at least partially replace a central control cabinet, in that the connection modules only provide some of the connections for the machine, but enable these connections to be made in a decentralized manner in the field. A central topology, e.g. a centralized control cabinet concept, is particularly referred to as a point-to-point connection, i.e. the start point, the connection and the end point are clearly defined. In contrast, in decentralized applications it is possible, and can often even be necessary, to arrange or connect several components between the start point and the end point. In this case, we can speak of a module-switch-module-hub-point connection. In principle, a machine, for example, can havethe following components are to be provided: devices such as actuators and / or sensors, the connection modules, installation elements, e.g. for cabling. It is conceivable that each of the connection modules has several connection points, in particular connections. Various installation elements such as cables can be connected to the connection points and thus electrically connected to the respective connection module. The connection points can therefore also be referred to as cable connections. In addition, a component can also be assigned to the respective connection point if this component is connected to the connection point via one of the installation elements. In this way, the respective connection module can be electrically connected to various components via the connected installation elements.Thus, the respective connection module can also be understood as a distributor that distributes signals, in particular control signals and / or electrical signals, to the components connected to it in order to enable a specified functionality of the machine. For this purpose, the connection points and / or the components assigned to them can be addressed to distribute the signals - in particular specified by a control device of the machine. The addressing thus determines to which of the connection points or components a signal is to be transmitted. The signal is used, for example, to control an actuator and / or to read a sensor and / or to configure and / or parameterize a sensor.

[0023] Optionally, the connection modules can be designed as active and passive distributors. This means in particular that a respective connection module can perform addressing dynamically if it is designed as an active distributor, and statically if it is designed as a passive distributor. In other words, with static addressing, the passive distributors can be hard-wired. This can mean that during addressing, for example by the control device, the connection point to which a signal is to be distributed must be explicitly addressed. For this purpose, for example, the control device is connected to the passive distributor via individual lines, whereby the individual lines in the passive distributor are electrically distributed in a fixed and predefined manner to the associated connection points. This has the advantage of a simple structural design for the passive distributor.On the other hand, if the connection point for one of the components changes, i.e. a changed assignment of the connection points, functionality cannot always be maintained without the new configuration being taken into account in the control system, for example by changing the installation specifications. With dynamic addressing, on the other hand, the active distributor itself and / or software can dynamically adapt the addressing, for example in a control file of the machine. In other words, the addressing of the connection points can be adapted to a changed assignment of the connection points with software support and / or dynamically, preferably without adjusting the installation specifications. In one example, the device addressing of the distributor can be changed dynamically, whereby the port addressing remains the same. A device is typically selected based on the device address and then the corresponding port within the device.If a port assignment is now changed, this new assignment can be saved and, if necessary, transferred as a new PLC file.

[0024] At least one or all of the connection modules can be designed as active distributors. The active distributor can be designed to perform dynamic addressing of its connection points. For this purpose, it can be provided that the active distributor receives and / or stores at least one piece of occupancy information about the components connected to it and / or an occupancy of the connection points. The occupancy of the connection points can be understood as the assignment of the components to the connected connection points of a connection module. It may be possible that if the occupancy changes, the at least one piece of occupancy information is adapted to the change. In other words, the active distributor can learn the occupancy of the connection points and save it, for example, in a table. Alternatively, this can be done via software, and the distributor can be reconfigured accordingly.When the active distributor receives a control command for signal distribution from the control device, the active distributor can decide, based on the at least one piece of assignment information, to which of the connection points the signal should be distributed. The dynamic addressing of the connection points enables efficient control of the connected components, since the active distributor is able to distribute the signals only to the connection point that is connected to the desired component. The control command can be received from the control device for this purpose, for example, via a data connection such as a data bus and, in particular, a field bus. Thus, in contrast to the passive distributor, there is no longer any hard wiring of the lines from the control device to the connection points.However, the active distributor requires a data and, in particular, a fieldbus connection in order to be able to dynamically address the connection points or components based on the data transmitted via it.

[0025] Preferably, the installation element can comprise a cable and / or a component, wherein the cable can have at least or exactly one connector, and can preferably be pre-assembled on one side, i.e., having a female or male connector on one side and an open end on the other. Alternatively, the cable can also be pre-assembled on both sides, i.e., having a female or male connector on each side.

[0026] The method can comprise the following steps, which are preferably carried out consecutively or in any desired order, whereby the steps can also be carried out repeatedly. According to one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises a step for determining at least one piece of installation information from the installation specification, in particular from a digitized circuit and / or construction plan, wherein the installation specification specifies a functionality of the machine and preferably a central topology of spatially centrally arranged electrical components of the machine, wherein the at least one piece of installation information preferably comprises eCAD and / or mCAD data and / or an electrical circuit diagram. Examples of possible components of the installation specification are explained in more detail in the following description of the exemplary embodiments.

[0027] The above-mentioned digitized circuit diagram may include a machine-readable description of a circuit, for example, in eCAD (electronic CAD) format. An eCAD circuit diagram is an electronic representation of an electrical or electronic system, usually created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The circuit diagram typically shows the connections between various electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, transistors, ICs (integrated circuits), and other devices. In an eCAD circuit diagram, components may be represented by graphical symbols that represent the electrical properties and functions of the components. These symbols are usually internationally standardized to ensure consistent representation. The connections between components may be represented by lines or wires on the circuit diagram.It can show how the various components are connected to create the desired electronic system. Additionally, circuit symbols, labels, values, and other information can be included in the circuit diagram to facilitate understanding. eCAD circuit diagrams are extremely useful in the development, design, and manufacturing of electronic devices and systems. They provide engineers, technicians, and other professionals with a clear and concise representation of the circuit, facilitating design, troubleshooting, and further development of the system.

[0028] The above-mentioned digitized blueprint may include a machine-readable description of a mechanical design or mechanical structure, for example, in mCAD (mechanical CAD) format. An mCAD blueprint is also typically created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. The blueprint may display the dimensions, shapes, and / or arrangement of mechanical components, parts, and / or assemblies. In an mCAD blueprint, the mechanical components may be represented by graphic symbols or models that represent their geometric properties. These models may be three-dimensional (3D) to enable the spatial representation of the design, or they may be two-dimensional (2D) to show specific views or sections. A typical mCAD blueprint includes various views of the design, such as front, side, top, and isometric views.These views help view the design from different perspectives and better understand details. Additionally, the blueprint typically includes dimensions, tolerances, annotations, and / or other information relevant to the manufacturing, assembly, and / or testing of the mechanical part or product. mCAD blueprints are widely used in mechanical engineering, product development, architecture, and other fields. They enable engineers and designers to virtually design, analyze, and optimize complex mechanical structures before they are physically manufactured. This helps minimize errors, increase development efficiency, and ultimately deliver high-quality mechanical products.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the installation specification and / or the at least one piece of installation information comprises a machine configuration, in particular a system configuration, advantageously comprising a plurality of interconnected components, such as actuators, sensors, cables and modules.

[0030] The machine configuration can refer to the specific settings, parameters, components, and / or options specified for a particular machine or machine system. It can be a detailed description of the physical and / or functional characteristics of the machine or system required to set it up and / or operate it for a specific purpose or task. The machine configuration can contain a variety of information, such as:

[0031] Components and parts: A list of the main components and parts included in the machine and their specifications.

[0032] Mechanical Settings: Information about the dimensions, positioning, and settings of the machine's mechanical parts. Electrical Settings: Details about the machine's electrical components, circuits, and wiring.

[0033] Electrical parameters: Details on the functionality and configuration of measuring ranges in sensors as well as travel ranges and speeds in actuators.

[0034] Control and automation: Information about the control technology used, programming, and automation features.

[0035] Operating parameters: Determination of operating parameters such as speed, pressure, temperature and other relevant operating conditions.

[0036] Safety precautions: Indication of the safety equipment and measures implemented in the machine to ensure the safety of operators and users.

[0037] Optional extensions: Possible options or extensions that can be added to the machine to expand its functionality.

[0038] Clear and accurate documentation of the machine configuration can serve as a guide for assembly, commissioning, maintenance, and / or operation of the machine. It can also facilitate the identification of problems when repairs and / or adjustments are necessary and can help improve the efficiency and / or reliability of the machine.

[0039] It is further possible that the installation specification and / or the at least one piece of installation information comprises at least one specification such as a topology.

[0040] As already mentioned at the beginning, a topology can include a description of the arrangement of the components of the machine, such as sensors, actuators, modules and / or cables. This can be any electrical components installed in the machine, such as valve islands, fuses, power supplies and the like. The topology can describe the structural arrangement, the relationships and / or the connections between the components of the machine. The topology can describe the spatial arrangement of the components and / or the way they are connected to enable the function of the machine. The topology can include an electrical circuit topology that describes the arrangement and / or connection of the electrical components of the machine. The topology can include a mechanical topology that describes the spatial arrangement and / or connection of the mechanical components of the machine.Examples of possible topologies are explained in more detail in the following description of the embodiments.

[0041] While the present disclosure primarily describes a decentralized electrical topology, it is understood that such a topology may also be decentralized active and / or passive and may possibly also be combined with aspects of a centralized topology.

[0042] Furthermore, it is possible for the at least one specification to comprise at least one circuit diagram and / or a connection list and / or a 3D model, e.g., a 3D CAD model.

[0043] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises a step for simulating at least one decentralized electrical topology, in particular a function-ensuring topology, of spatially decentralized electrical components of the machine, preferably by a first simulation, wherein the simulation can be carried out on the basis of the at least one determined piece of installation information, taking into account the specified functionality of the machine.

[0044] Simulating an electrical topology of the machine offers a variety of technical advantages and effects, for example:

[0045] Error detection and correction: Simulation allows for early detection of potential errors and / or problems in the electrical circuit. This allows errors to be corrected before the actual implementation of the circuit, which can save time and money.

[0046] Design optimization: Simulation tools allow engineers to compare and optimize different design options to achieve the best possible performance and efficiency. Parameters such as efficiency, bandwidth, and / or stability can be tested and improved.

[0047] Behavior prediction: Simulation can predict the behavior of the electrical circuit under various conditions, such as changes in input voltage, temperature, and / or load conditions. This allows engineers to ensure the robustness and / or reliability of the circuit. Evaluation of safety measures: Simulations allow for the verification and / or evaluation of safety measures and / or protective circuits to ensure that the circuit is protected from potential malfunctions and / or damage.

[0048] EMC and noise assessment: Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and / or noise can be considered in the simulation to identify and / or minimize potential disturbances and / or interference between components or to simulate the topology to minimize disturbances.

[0049] Cost efficiency: Simulation allows design errors to be identified and / or corrected early, which can reduce the need for costly physical prototypes and / or accelerate the development process.

[0050] If the machine is operated and / or built according to a topology optimized through simulation, this can have a positive impact on the performance, efficiency, and / or reliability of the machine itself. This can result in numerous technical advantages for the machine itself, such as:

[0051] Improved performance: An optimized topology allows electrical components to be arranged and / or connected to maximize machine performance. This can result in higher speed, greater accuracy, better control capabilities, and / or overall improved performance.

[0052] Greater energy efficiency: Topology optimization can reduce machine energy consumption. This can lead to improved energy efficiency, which can reduce operating costs and be more environmentally friendly.

[0053] Better heat dissipation: An optimized topology can also address heat dissipation and ensure that electrical components are properly cooled. This prevents overheating problems and can extend component lifespans.

[0054] Increased reliability: Optimization can minimize potential failure points, resulting in increased machine reliability and / or failsafe performance. This is especially important in critical applications where failures can be costly and / or dangerous.

[0055] Reduced electromagnetic interference: An optimized topology can help minimize electromagnetic interference within the machine and / or improve electromagnetic behavior. This can lead to better electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and / or reduce the risk of interference with other devices.

[0056] Simplified manufacturing and assembly: An optimized topology can reduce the number of components and / or enable simpler wiring, which can simplify manufacturing and / or assembly processes and / or reduce production costs.

[0057] Flexibility and adaptability: By optimizing the topology, the machine can be better adapted to specific requirements and / or changes. This allows for greater flexibility in the application of the machine in different situations.

[0058] Flexibility: Topology optimization can be adjusted based on component availability and / or delivery times.

[0059] Compact design: An optimized topology can help reduce the size and / or weight of the machine, which can be advantageous in space-constrained and / or mobile applications.

[0060] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises a step of initiating an output of at least one decentralized, electrical, preferably optimized and / or automatically generated and / or optimal for the machine, topology based on the simulation.

[0061] The output can comprise an output of the at least one decentralized, electrical topology to a user, for example, on a graphical user interface. The output topology thus provides the user with instructions in the sense of assembly instructions for the machine. A proper use of the output topology is for the user to construct, install, and / or operate the machine according to the topology. In this respect, the user typically acts merely as an "agent," whereby the technical effects of the invention actually manifest themselves in physical reality when used as intended. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises one or more technical uses, in particular only technical uses, and in particular no non-technical uses, of the output topology.

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, the output may also comprise an output of at least one machine-readable, decentralized, electrical topology, in particular to the machine itself. Examples of such a machine-readable output are described in more detail below. This achieves a direct technical effect on physical reality.

[0063] In this way, a modular support system for electrical installation, in particular cabling of machines, especially systems, can be provided. The invention enables, in particular, simpler, faster, and more error-free cabling. The steps also enable automation of the topology creation process, thus providing support for the planner. Furthermore, the reliability and quality of planning can be increased and ensured in this way. By optionally determining mCAD data and / or eCAD data, it is possible to independently identify which electrical components should be connected to one another and in which order this connection should take place. On this basis, the optimized topology can be created and proposed with very little time expenditure.It is also possible to quickly and accurately create a parts list for the automation technology used based on the automatically generated topology.

[0064] A user can be, for example, an installer and / or plant mechanic and / or electrician and / or worker and / or planner and / or mechanical designer or developer and / or electrical designer or developer and / or PLC programmer and / or commissioning engineer and / or maintenance engineer and / or machine operator. It is possible for the user to use the method according to the invention by providing the method to the user via a computer. For this purpose, a computer program can be executed at least partially by the computer and / or another computer in order to carry out the method steps according to the invention.

[0065] Several installation elements can be provided for the installation of the machine. Each of these installation elements can be assigned an identifier by which the installation elements can be uniquely identified. The identifier can accordingly be information that can be processed digitally, for example. The respective installation element can have the identifier by providing and / or attaching a physical identification means to the installation element. The installation elements can be, for example, cables or components that are a functional part of the machine. In particular, machine devices such as actuators and / or sensors are operated, i.e. preferably controlled and / or read, via the installation elements.A control device such as a PLC (programmable logic controller) can be provided for the operation of the devices, which can perform the electrical operation of the devices via the installation elements and components. For this purpose, the control device can be electrically connected to the components.

[0066] The machine for which the electrical, decentralized topology is created, simulated, and / or optimized can be an existing real machine. In this case, the installation specification and its possible components (see above) can be generated automatically or at least computer-aided based on properties of the existing real machine. For example, the above-mentioned digitized circuit diagram can be generated from the actual electrical wiring of the machine, and / or the above-mentioned digitized construction plan can be generated from the actual machine structure. In this respect, the simulation uses measurements from the existing real machine as input and can thus be part of an indirect measurement method that calculates and / or predicts the physical state of an existing real object.

[0067] The measurement and simulation of an existing real machine described above can unleash its numerous advantageous technical effects (see above), for example, when the machine is newly built in a production environment (in the "field") and the simulation is performed before the machine is actually put into operation. It is also conceivable to build the machine in a test and / or experimental environment and then simulate it, so that a machine can be built directly in the production environment at a later date according to the optimized topology.

[0068] The machine for which the electrical, decentralized topology is created and / or simulated and / or optimized can also be a potential machine, i.e. a design of a machine. However, this already manifests the numerous technical effects in the real world, since when the invention is used as intended, only machines are built according to the simulated or optimized topology. The simulation preferably comprises a first automatic simulation of a first approximation to an optimal topology through an optional combination of the mCAD and eCAD data. It is possible that an automatic optimization of the first simulation then takes place based on criteria relating to preferences and technical framework conditions. An automatic comparison of all created topologies can then be provided. The output can comprise an output of the optimal topology for the respective system specification.

[0069] The topology can be based on various dependencies. It is possible for the installation specification to contain at least one of the dependencies on which to perform the simulation and / or create the topology. In particular, the dependencies can contain at least one of the following information: a system configuration, available components such as actuators and / or sensors and / or modules, available cables, communication standards used, electrical power consumption, component restrictions (cable length, temperature behavior, etc.), component information regarding mutual influence between the components (e.g., mutual thermal and / or electromagnetic influence, etc.), communication speed, safety classes, installation technology (MVK, Cube, modular IO systems, etc.), bus standard (ProfiNet, ProfiSave, EtherCAT, EtherNet / IP).

[0070] Furthermore, the at least one decentralized electrical topology can be created through the simulation and / or based on the simulation, for example, using at least one algorithm. The created topology can then be output. The topology is created, for example, using an algorithm, whereby the algorithm executes a set of rules to create a topology. The algorithm can be a learning algorithm that can autonomously decide whether to execute the set of rules chronologically or whether to skip at least one rule, for example, if it is determined that the rule does not apply due to details such as the current execution context and / or the empirical knowledge built up through learning. This can make the system significantly faster and more powerful.

[0071] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is conceivable that the step of simulating the at least one decentralized electrical topology comprises the following steps:

[0072] Determining at least one machine specification from the installation specification, wherein the machine specification preferably comprises: data on a type and / or restrictions and / or technical properties and / or placements of the electrical components in the machine, linking the determined machine specification with a communication specification for at least one communication connection of the electrical components in the machine.

[0073] This provides the advantage of outputting a suitable topology depending on the machine specification and, in particular, the system configuration. Advantageously, determining the at least one machine specification includes automatically recognizing the available and necessary system specification data for creating the topology.

[0074] The communication connection can, for example, comprise at least one connection for transmitting signals and / or data, in particular control signals and / or control commands, from the control device to the at least one electrical component or the at least one connection module. The communication connection can comprise at least one (hard) wiring of electrical lines and / or a data connection such as a fieldbus and / or a combination thereof. The communication specification can, for example, specify an addressing of connection points of the electrical components or connection modules. It is also possible for the communication specification to specify further information about the communication connections, such as at least one item of assignment information and / or a connection plan and / or a communication technology and / or the like. The machine specification can, for example,Information includes which of the connection modules are designed as passive distributors and which of the connection modules are designed as active distributors. This allows the design of the connection modules as active or passive distributors to be taken into account in the simulation.

[0075] It is also possible that the number and / or types of electrical components and preferably connection modules (e.g. active or passive distributor, number of connection points, e.g. 4 or 8 connections) are only defined during simulation. This definition can, for example, be based on linking the determined machine specification with the communication specification and be specified in the topology output. It is possible that, depending on information in the machine specification such as the required potential circuits (e.g. for the sensors), specific types of electrical components such as connection modules, cables, adapters or T-distributors are defined. It is also conceivable that the machine specification includes at least one industry-specific requirement for the machine in order to take this into account during simulation. The at least one requirement can, for example,be actively queried via a user interface before simulation. The industry-specific requirements can, for example, specify requirements for the level of protection and / or intrinsic safety and / or compressive strength and / or safety integrity level of the electrical components and thus serve to select the type and / or number of components through simulation. It is also conceivable that a higher-level category such as the industry is queried from the user during the query and then a database is accessed to automatically determine the specific requirements for the category.

[0076] It is also possible for the simulation to be prepared through an iterative and / or interactive process, in which essential information such as the machine specification is queried via a user interface. It is also conceivable for the parts of an existing machine to be scanned and imported to include them in the simulation. This also enables iterative refinement and optimization of the planning. Furthermore, optimization parameters can be queried and considered in the simulation. The optimization parameters include, for example, at least one of the following: installation time, effort, complexity, component availability, and manufacturer origin.

[0077] It is also optionally conceivable for the step of simulating the at least one decentralized electrical topology to comprise the following step: evaluating a predefined set of rules in order to create the decentralized electrical topology based on the set of rules, wherein the set of rules preferably defines the decentralized electrical topology. The evaluation of the set of rules can be carried out automatically using an algorithm. This has the advantage that, based on predefined installation rules, such as short spatial distances between modules and the sensor and actuator level, and technical conditions, such as installation outdoors, in particular in the field outside the control cabinet, a targeted and faster evaluation can be carried out to create a suitable topology. It is also possible for the set of rules to comprise an optimization rule in order to take at least one specified optimization parameter into account.Furthermore, the rule set may be suitable for taking into account the requirements and / or a state of the pin assignment and / or the assignment information (of a terminal assignment) and / or the requirements of the potential circuits in the machine. Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it is optionally possible for the following steps to be performed:

[0078] Providing at least one evaluation criterion, which preferably comprises at least one installation preference and / or at least one optimization objective and / or at least one installation condition for an installation of the decentralized electrical topology,

[0079] Simulating at least one further decentralized electrical topology on the basis, preferably by a second simulation, preferably by a change, of the simulated at least one decentralized electrical topology and on the basis of the at least one provided evaluation criterion, preferably for the creation of an optimal decentralized electrical topology which fulfills at least one or at most all of the at least one evaluation criterion.

[0080] This allows a more comprehensive and better decentralized electrical topology to be evaluated and selected based on the defined preferences and optimized installation goals.

[0081] Furthermore, initiating the output of the at least one decentralized electrical topology may comprise: initiating the output of at least one of the simulated further decentralized electrical topologies, preferably the optimal decentralized electrical topology.

[0082] The at least one optimization objective may, for example, include at least one of the following objectives: ease of maintenance, CO2 consumption, material consumption, material costs, labor effort, ease of assembly, assembly efficiency, implementation efficiency, independence from the availability of skilled workers, and the like.

[0083] To resolve conflicting optimization objectives, a weighting of the optimization objectives can be provided. This weighting allows the degree of fulfillment of the respective optimization to be represented and displayed.

[0084] The installation preference can also be understood as a preference criterion. Before a second simulation is performed, the at least one installation preference and / or the at least one optimization objective and / or the at least one installation condition can be reformulated into conditions (in particular rules and technical conditions) according to which an algorithm can evaluate and rank the suitability of a topology. Based on these conditions, the second simulation can then be performed, which, based on the first function-ensuring topology, can create at least one possible topology that satisfies at least one and at most all of these conditions.

[0085] Preferably, after simulating the at least one further decentralized electrical topology, the method can comprise the following further step: analyzing the at least one simulated further decentralized electrical topology with regard to fulfillment of the at least one evaluation criterion, preferably taking into account the number and type of fulfilled evaluation criteria as well as possible contradictions. Preferably, the analysis includes a comparison with the already simulated further decentralized electrical topology. This analysis enables a significant qualitative improvement in the evaluation of the simulated further decentralized electrical topology.

[0086] It can also be advantageous to perform the following step: performing an optimization process in which at least two features from at least two of the simulated, further decentralized electrical topologies are combined to create the optimal decentralized electrical topology, preferably only under the condition that the combination is possible without contradiction. This has the advantage that the combination of different features allows for a better optimization process for creating an optimal, decentralized electrical topology.

[0087] According to one aspect of the present invention, the method comprises a step of interactively and / or iteratively simulating the at least one decentralized electrical topology of the machine.

[0088] When interactively simulating the at least one topology, the user can intervene interactively during the simulation and / or change certain parameters and / or settings to obtain immediate results. This means that the user has the opportunity to see the effects of changes in real time and / or influence the behavior of the machine during the simulation. Interactive simulations can be particularly useful for quickly testing different scenarios, comparing design options and / or developing a better understanding of the machine's behavior. When iteratively simulating the at least one topology, the user can perform a series of repeated simulations, gradually changing certain parameters and / or configurations to optimize the design and / or performance of the machine.The results of each simulation can serve as a starting point for the next iteration, with small adjustments being made each time to gradually improve the design. This iterative process can be repeated until the optimal result is achieved. Iterative simulations can be particularly useful for continuously improving machine configuration and / or optimizing performance, as they allow for a step-by-step and / or systematic approach.

[0089] In summary, "interactive" simulation means that the user can interactively intervene and / or make changes during the simulation, while "iterative" simulation indicates that the user can run a series of repeated simulations to gradually improve the design and / or performance. Both approaches can be combined to enable an efficient and / or successful simulation process.

[0090] This enables a particularly interactive and / or iterative refinement of the topology during a planning phase and / or a machine construction phase. The interactive or iterative approach thus provides continuous or guided human-machine interaction, which supports the user in executing the technical task, e.g., plant planning or plant construction. Examples of a corresponding user interface are explained further below in the description of the exemplary embodiments.

[0091] According to one aspect of the present invention, simulating comprises a real-time simulation. Real-time simulations are characterized by running in real time, i.e., without significant delay, and / or delivering results immediately. In this context, "real-time" refers to the ability of a simulation to deliver results and / or responses at substantially the same speed as they would occur in the real world. This means that the simulation performs the calculations and / or analysis in real time, without any noticeable delay or time differences. In other words, when a simulation is referred to as a "real-time simulation," it means that it operates so quickly that it delivers results immediately as soon as a change and / or input is made.This allows the user to immediately see the effects of their actions and / or changes in the simulation and / or receive immediate feedback. Real-time simulation thus provides even more closely integrated, continuous, or guided, human-machine interaction with the user, providing even better support in executing technical tasks, such as plant planning or plant construction.

[0092] It may optionally be possible for the optimization process to be skipped and for at least or exactly one of the simulated further decentralized electrical topologies to be created as the optimal decentralized electrical topology if a result of the analysis shows that this topology satisfies the at least one evaluation criterion, otherwise the optimization process is carried out to create the optimal decentralized electrical topology.

[0093] Therefore, after the second simulation, the possible topologies created can be analyzed to determine whether they fulfill the conditions defined by the evaluation criteria, compared for the number and type of conditions fulfilled, and examined for possible contradictions. The analysis can produce two possible results: a. At least one of the simulated topologies fulfills all of the conditions and leads to the functionality of the machine. No optimization process is necessary. The output can then be generated such that at least one of the optimal topologies is output without optimization, b. None of the simulated topologies fulfills all of the conditions. An optimization process can then be carried out with the goal of combining at least two features from at least two of the simulated topologies in order to achieve an optimization goal. A combination can be used if necessary.This can only be performed if a combination of at least two topologies is possible without contradiction and the combination satisfies at least one more of the conditions than the respective uncombined topologies. The output can then be configured such that the topology that best satisfies the conditions after optimization is output. If more than one topology satisfies the conditions equally well, all optimal topologies can be output.

[0094] This enables significantly improved flexibility for the optimization process with regard to the optimal, decentralized, electrical topology to be created. According to a further possibility, initiating the output of the at least one decentralized, electrical topology can include outputting several identified optimal topological arrangements of spatially decentralized electrical components, preferably when they equally satisfy the at least one evaluation criterion. This enables faster selection of the output topological arrangements.

[0095] Furthermore, it can be provided within the scope of the invention that the method comprises the following further steps:

[0096] Checking the completeness and / or suitability of the at least one piece of installation information determined, in particular the eCAD and mCAD data, for simulating the at least one decentralized electrical topology; and

[0097] Determining a simulation strategy for simulating the at least one decentralized electrical topology depending on a result of the testing, wherein the simulation is carried out if the testing shows that the at least one piece of installation information determined is complete and / or suitable, in particular qualitatively sufficient, wherein the simulation is preferably also carried out if the testing shows that mCAD data are missing in the at least one piece of installation information determined, wherein otherwise a user input for entering missing installation information and / or a recommendation for action is preferably initiated.

[0098] This makes it possible to reliably create an optimized topology even when the data is incomplete.

[0099] It is further conceivable that, in the event that the check reveals that part of the at least one piece of installation information determined, preferably the eCAD data, is incomplete and / or of insufficient quality, a user input is initiated to enter the part, in particular the eCAD data, in order to enrich the at least one piece of installation information determined with the part, in particular the eCAD data, in such a way that the simulation for creating the at least one decentralized electrical topology is enabled. In other words, the missing part can thus be enriched automatically. This has the advantage of increasing the quality of the simulation and ensuring faster selection of the optimal decentralized electrical topology.According to a further possibility, at least part of the at least one piece of installation information determined can be generated from historical data, particularly if the check reveals that mCAD data is missing from the at least one piece of installation information determined. This allows a missing data to be compensated for based on previously collected data.

[0100] This makes it possible to significantly improve the quality of the simulation.

[0101] Furthermore, within the scope of the invention, it can be provided that the output comprises at least one of the following information, wherein the information is preferably generated automatically: information on the cabling of the electrical topology; a parts list for the components of the machine; a generated resource identification for an optimized decentralized, electrical topology; information on connections between the components; installation instructions regarding a sequence of connection of the components; installation support from a factory during the installation of the machine, preferably by means of at least one installation instruction; and an electrical connection and / or circuit diagram.

[0102] This has the advantage that the information provided allows for faster implementation.

[0103] Furthermore, it is possible for the output to comprise at least one control specification, preferably a machine control specification for controlling the machine and in particular a machine control file. The control specification can be machine-readable in order to be read out at least by the control device and / or by the connection modules and / or in order to be able to provide the functionality of the machine in an automated manner. Thus, the installation of the machine can be further supported and automated by the output and the underlying simulation. The control specification can, for example, comprise at least one item of assignment information and / or addressing information in order to enable the addressing of the connection points of the connection modules. For example, the addresses for the connection points and / or the components connected thereto can be assigned and / or assigned by the control specification.Particularly in the context of active distributors, the control specification can be said to include the I / O addresses. Furthermore, the control specification, preferably the machine control file, can contain control information for the control device. The machine control file can be implemented as a control file in a binary format.

[0104] Furthermore, the control specification can be encoded in a standardized format such as GSDML, IODD, and / or XML (based). IODD stands for IODD (IO Device Description), which can provide detailed information about the functions and properties of an IO-Link device, such as the available process data, diagnostic data, and parameter data. GSDML stands for "General Station Description Markup Language." It is an XML-based, standardized language for describing the properties and functions of automation devices compatible with the PROFINET protocol. PROFINET is a widely used industrial Ethernet standard protocol for automation technology. A GSDML specification can be centrally created and compared using simulation.Like lODD files for IO-Link devices, GSDML files are provided in a standardized format, ensuring interoperability and compatibility across different manufacturers and systems.

[0105] Furthermore, it is possible for the control specification to include a configuration for the electrical components, such as a connection module and / or a sensor and / or an actuator, and / or an adaptation of at least one piece of assignment information, such as I / O addresses, in a machine control file. The control specification can also include supplementary information about components that have been added to the topology compared to the determined installation specification.

[0106] Furthermore, the control specification may include at least one driver file (such as an IODD) that can be installed on the connection modules, in particular the active distributors. Furthermore, the control specification may include information about the manufacturer identification, the device model, the revision, the hardware and software version, and other specific device information about at least one of the electrical components.

[0107] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the machine specification and / or the topology output includes an order list in which the components and / or installation elements are listed that are required to construct the machine according to the simulated topology.

[0108] The output of the at least one decentralized electrical topology can be machine-readable or comprise at least one machine-readable part. The machine-readable output or the machine-readable part can comprise at least one control instruction and / or a control signal. The machine-readable output or the machine-readable part can be configured to at least partially control a technical system, for example, the machine or system, and / or to at least partially control a technical process.

[0109] In one aspect of the invention, it can be provided that the output, in particular the output of at least one decentralized electrical topology, comprises or specifies at least one control instruction. The at least one control instruction can be machine-readable and / or executable by a control device (hereinafter also referred to as a controller or PLC). The control device can be assigned to the machine or system; in particular, the control device can be a control device of the machine or system for which a topology is created within the scope of the described method.

[0110] In one aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of transmitting the at least one control instruction to the control device of the machine or system in order to cause the control device of the machine or system to execute the at least one control instruction.

[0111] In a further aspect of the invention, the method comprises the further step of executing the at least one control instruction by the control device of the machine or system.

[0112] For this purpose, the output can include a so-called PLC project or automatically create such a PLC project or at least parts of it. The PLC project can include information, for example in the form of one or more objects, which are necessary to create a control program. These can be programming blocks (e.g., programs, function blocks, functions, global variable lists (GVLs), etc.) and / or other information required to execute the program on a PLC (e.g., referenced tasks, library managers, visualizations, etc.). The PLC project can be configured in a machine-readable format such as PLCopen XML or AML in one or more corresponding files.

[0113] The machine-readable output can serve as the basis for a target / actual comparison of the topology in the application. For example, the controller can use the machine-readable output to verify that the programmed devices are actually present in the machine or system in the correct order and / or form.

[0114] The machine-readable output can be prepared in a fieldbus-specific manner and / or contain controller or PLC manufacturer-specific data and / or module or module manufacturer-specific data and / or component-specific data and / or content, in particular sensor and actuator-specific data, e.g.:

[0115] Profinet: Device name and / or network information

[0116] EtherCAT : Device name and / or network information and / or slot address

[0117] Ethernet / IP: Device name and / or network information and / or MAC address

[0118] For safety-relevant applications (so-called safety applications), an additional safety component can be integrated into the machine-readable output. For example, if two PLC units are planned (a safety PLC and a standard PLC), two separate files can be used. Furthermore, a checksum for all safety components can be integrated into the file.

[0119] The machine-readable output may also include one or more of the following parts, for example as sub-files of the PLC project, which can also be created automatically:

[0120] GSDML (Device-Specific File Markup Language) for automated device / module-dependent setting of parameters required for the operation of the connected sensors and / or actuators

[0121] GSD (Device Master Data File) for specifying device properties such as protocols and / or characteristics or, if applicable, only the short version IODD (IO Device Description) for defining the specific device application tag for each IO-Link device

[0122] ESI / ENI (EtherCAT Slave Information / EtherCAT Network Information) for automated device / module-dependent setting of parameters required for the operation of the connected sensors and / or actuators

[0123] The above information, especially in combination, can enable automatic machine startup (plug & play). To ensure a target / actual topology comparison during assembly, it may be sufficient to create the PLC project without GSD and IODD.

[0124] Furthermore, the output of the at least one decentralized electrical topology can serve as the basis for generating an administration shell. An administration shell can comprise a data pool in which manufacturer- and component-specific data (e.g., PIM, data sheets, manuals, etc.) are associated with the PLC project. This can enable or promote extensive data consistency throughout the entire product lifecycle and / or enable subsequent automatic identification of hardware-related errors on the system side, including ordering spare parts.

[0125] For example, in the event of a malfunction, the production process can be automatically adjusted and / or only certain parts and / or products can be manufactured. In other words, condition-dependent autonomous production planning and / or control can be enabled. Installation instructions and / or modifications can also be attached and thus made available decentrally.

[0126] Another optional aspect concerns the automatic creation of the iODD onboard file, for example, by merging the GSD and / or GSDML and IODD files. This can enable the one-time upload and plug-and-play of spare parts without the need for explicit pre-programming when using iODD onboard. After initial commissioning with IODD onboard, the components can then be plugged into any slot, and the PLC can automatically search for the information.

[0127] Automatic omission of the BOM (Bill of Materials) list can also be provided. This can include autonomous optimization based on material availability on the market, which can serve as the basis for autonomous, delivery-date-based production control and / or manufacturing planning. This can additionally or alternatively include automatic generation of a customer-specific price list and / or a cross-list of the BOM by supplier.

[0128] Preferably, the output can include optimized planning. For example, the automatically generated bill of materials based on this results in only the absolutely necessary number of components and cables, especially connectors, being installed in the required quantity (e.g., quantity, cable length). This prevents material waste due to potential planning errors (both topology and bill of materials).

[0129] This enables a more efficient and faster implementation of the issued plan.

[0130] The invention also relates to a system for computer-aided creation of a decentralized, electrical topology for a machine, in particular a system, based on an installation specification, comprising a determination device, in particular an input device and / or a camera and / or a data memory, for determining, in particular reading in or inputting, at least one piece of installation information of the installation specification, in particular mCAD and / or eCAD data, as well as a (preferably inventive) device for data processing, comprising means for carrying out the steps of the inventive method.

[0131] The system according to the invention thus brings with it the same advantages as have been described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention.

[0132] In addition to a method, a system for creating a topology in decentralized electrical automation technology can also be provided.

[0133] The invention may also provide a data processing device comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method according to the invention.

[0134] The invention also relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer such as the data processing device according to the invention, cause the computer to carry out the steps of a method according to the invention. Thus, the computer program according to the invention provides the same advantages as those described in detail with reference to a method according to the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0135] For a better understanding of the disclosure, reference is made to the following drawings:

[0136] Fig. 1 : A central connection in a machine using a control cabinet.

[0137] Fig. 2: A decentralized interconnection according to embodiments of the invention.

[0138] Fig. 3 A schematic representation of parts of a system according to embodiments of the invention.

[0139] Fig. 4 A schematic representation of details of a method according to embodiments of the invention.

[0140] Fig. 5 A schematic representation of steps of a method according to embodiments of the invention.

[0141] Fig. 6 An example of a central circuit diagram as a possible component of an installation specification according to embodiments of the invention.

[0142] Fig. 7 An example of a connection list as a possible component of an installation specification according to embodiments of the invention.

[0143] Fig. 8 An example of a digitized construction plan (mCAD) as a possible component of an installation specification according to embodiments of the invention.

[0144] Fig. 9 An example of a digitized construction plan (mCAD) with electrical components as a possible component of an installation specification according to embodiments of the invention.

[0145] Fig. 10 An example of automatic detection of connections and components according to embodiments of the invention.

[0146] Fig. 11 An example of a display of a central topology according to embodiments of the invention.

[0147] Fig. 12 A first example of a display of a decentralized topology as an optimization result according to embodiments of the invention.

[0148] Fig. 13 A second example of a display of a decentralized topology as an optimization result according to embodiments of the invention. Fig. 14 A first example of a user interface for iteratively refining a topology according to embodiments of the invention.

[0149] Fig. 15 A second example of a user interface for iteratively refining a topology according to embodiments of the invention.

[0150] Fig. 16 A third example of a user interface for iteratively refining a topology according to embodiments of the invention.

[0151] Description of the embodiments

[0152] Planning the topology of electrical, decentralized automation technology is a time-consuming process when carried out by a human planner. The following describes exemplary embodiments of the invention which substantially increase planning efficiency through automation based on mCAD and / or eCAD data. Automated creation can lead to an optimal design of the electrical topology, whereby the design can be optimized with regard to various optimization goals: Assembly efficiency is often the primary focus here. Thus, the automated creation of the electrical topology can also lead to greater assembly efficiency in terms of an optimal arrangement of the components, as well as to greater implementation efficiency, which is realized by providing error-free installation specifications for a user, especially a worker.

[0153] The automated creation of the electrical topology also ensures that planning errors (e.g., faulty connections or forgotten connections) can be avoided with a high degree of reliability. This guarantees the quality of the planning and prevents errors that might otherwise only be detected at a later stage (such as installation or programming).

[0154] Fig. 1 schematically shows a centralized interconnection using a control cabinet 9 in order to compare this with a decentralized interconnection using spatially decentralized electrical components 4 of a machine 1 in Fig. 2. Instead of connecting all devices 5 such as sensors and actuators directly to the control cabinet 9 as shown in Fig. 1, the decentralized interconnection in Fig. 2 can utilize multiple components 4, in particular connection modules 4. Like the control cabinet 9, these enable the devices 5 to be coupled to a control device 8 such as a PLC. However, the connection modules 4 can be provided in a decentralized manner and distributed close to the devices 5.The connection modules 4 thus only partially interconnect the devices 5, whereby the connection modules 4 or, for example, one and / or more connection modules 4 together carry out the entire interconnection via one and / or more hubs 6.

[0155] To enable the central configuration and / or control of the connection modules 4, a master module 3 can be connected upstream of several of the individual connection modules 4. It is also possible for the interconnection to be further subdivided using at least one hub 6.

[0156] Fig. 3 shows parts of a system 2 according to embodiments of the invention. The system 2 can have a device 30 for data processing, wherein this data processing device 30 can comprise means for carrying out the steps of a method 100 according to embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, at least one electrical component 4, preferably in the form of a connection module 4 for connection to an installation element 10 and further installation elements 10, can be provided. The component 4 can have at least one connection point 42 for the connection. A display element 41 assigned to the respective connection points 42 is also shown.

[0157] It is further shown that the components 4 and at least one computer 30, 31 (shown with a user interface 32) and / or a control device 8 can each be connected to one another via a bus system 21 for bidirectional communication. The bidirectional communication can be provided on the basis of a communication protocol for a fieldbus system, in particular on the basis of a ProfiNet, Ethernet / IP, EtherCAT or 802.3 standard. The bidirectional communication can also be implemented via a cable via a bus system 21 or wirelessly using Bluetooth and / or WLAN, on the basis of a standard according to IEEE 802.11 or on the basis of a mobile radio telecommunications standard. To enable operation of the component 4, the component 4 can further be connected to a power supply 13.

[0158] Furthermore, a computer program 20 is shown, which comprises instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer 30, cause the computer 30 to carry out the steps of the method 100 according to embodiments of the invention.

[0159] Fig. 5 visualizes an embodiment of a method 100 according to the invention for computer-aided creation of a decentralized, electrical topology for a machine 1 based on an installation specification 200. According to a first method step 101, at least one piece of installation information can be determined from the installation specification 200, in particular from a digitized circuit and / or construction plan. The installation specification 200 can specify a functionality of the machine 1 and preferably a central topology of spatially centrally arranged electrical components of the machine, wherein the at least one piece of installation information preferably comprises eCAD and / or mCAD data. In other words, a topology, preferably a central topology, of the machine can be defined in the eCAD and / or mCAD data. This topology can include, for example, equipment markings and / or connection specifications and / or the like.Accordingly, a functionality is also specified in this way.

[0160] Furthermore, according to a second method step 102, a simulation of at least one decentralized electrical topology of spatially decentralized electrical components 4 of the machine 1 can be performed, wherein the simulation is performed on the basis of the at least one determined piece of installation information, taking into account the specified functionality of the machine 1. In a third method step 103, at least one decentralized electrical topology is output based on the simulation 102, in particular at least one optimized decentralized electrical topology is output based on the simulation 102.

[0161] The step of simulating 102 the at least one decentralized electrical topology may further comprise determining at least one machine specification from the installation specification 200. Linking the determined machine specification with a communication specification for at least one communication connection of the electrical components 4 in the machine 1 may also be provided. It is also possible for the step of simulating 102 the at least one decentralized electrical topology to comprise evaluating a predefined set of rules in order to create the decentralized electrical topology based on the set of rules, wherein the set of rules preferably defines the decentralized electrical topology.

[0162] In order to align the simulated topologies with the requirements of machine 1, at least one evaluation criterion can also be provided. In other words, this can include at least one framework for the simulation, such as an installation preference and / or at least one optimization goal and / or at least one installation condition for installing the decentralized electrical topology. Subsequently, a second simulation of at least one further decentralized electrical topology can be performed based on, preferably by modifying, the simulated at least one decentralized electrical topology (the first simulation) and based on the at least one provided evaluation criterion.

[0163] Furthermore, it is possible to analyze the at least one simulated, further decentralized electrical topology with regard to whether it fulfills the at least one evaluation criterion. Subsequently, an optimization process can be performed in which at least two features from at least two of the simulated, further decentralized electrical topologies are combined to create the optimal decentralized electrical topology.

[0164] It is also possible for the optimization process to be skipped and for at least or exactly one of the simulated, further decentralized electrical topologies to be created as the optimal decentralized electrical topology if a result of the analysis shows that this topology meets the at least one evaluation criterion; otherwise, the optimization process is carried out to create the optimal decentralized electrical topology. Furthermore, a check for completeness and / or suitability of the at least one determined piece of installation information, in particular the eCAD and mCAD data, for simulating 102 the at least one decentralized electrical topology can be provided. Depending on the result of the check, a simulation strategy for simulating 102 the at least one decentralized electrical topology can then be defined.In this case, the simulation 102 can be carried out if the check shows that the at least one piece of installation information determined is complete and / or suitable, in particular of sufficient quality, wherein the simulation 102 is preferably also carried out if the check shows that mCAD data is missing in the at least one piece of installation information determined, wherein otherwise a user input for entering missing installation information is preferably initiated. The simulation approach can thus also open up the possibility of creating a first approximation of the topology in the case of missing or incorrect mCAD data. In this case, the simulation can optionally access a data set from a data source, e.g., historical data, in the case of incorrect mCAD data, so that the computer-implemented system can complete the mCAD data based on the data set.If mCAD data is missing, the simulation can also use the electrical equipment identification stored in eCAD, which contains location and equipment information for each component.

[0165] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a system 2 for computer-aided creation of a decentralized, electrical topology for a machine 1, in particular a system 1, based on an installation specification 200. A determination device 210 can be provided for determining at least one piece of installation information from the installation specification 200. A device 30 for data processing can also be part of the system 2. The determination device 210 can be designed to determine or read in the executing components 4 (i.e., in particular, type, restrictions, technical properties, placement, etc.), preferably mCAD data, and / or the electrical / communicative connections (electrical connection plan), preferably eCAD data, and / or the existing components 4.

[0166] The determination device 210 can determine the data required for creation, such as mCAD and / or eCAD data. This can mean that the data relevant for creating the topology is imported into the system, combined, and processed. Furthermore, a linking unit 220 can be provided, which links the data and checks whether all necessary data is present. A decision unit 230, which is also optionally provided, can then decide which course of action to implement.The following courses of action can advantageously be selected: a) all data are available and correct, the system 2 simulates the first topology, b) some mCAD data are missing and / or incorrect, whereby an enrichment unit 240, which can communicate with the user or the system 2 can enrich it with data to such an extent that the machine 1 becomes functional, whereby the system 2 can enrich this data from a data memory 33, which contains, for example, historical data, and check it for suitability, and / or c) if mCAD data is missing, a decentralized approximation of the mCAD data is iteratively created on the basis of the equipment markings contained in the eCAD (central representation).

[0167] Furthermore, the system 2 can have a first simulation unit 261, which simulates a first topology in a first simulation or first iteration, which in principle ensures the functionality of the machine and outputs it, wherein an algorithm can chronologically execute a set of rules during the simulation. Furthermore, a preference system 250 can be provided, which translates the user-weighted preferences (optimization goals) into technical framework conditions. A second simulation unit 262 can also be provided, which gradually simulates the changes to the first topology necessary to fulfill the technical framework conditions. The result can then also be several topologies that partially fulfill the different technical framework conditions. An output unit 270 can then output the final topologies that best correspond to the weighted preference system 250.

[0168] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the invention in further detail. According to method steps 301, 302, the MCAD and ECAD data sets relevant for creating the topology are first imported into system 2 (shown in Fig. 3), combined, and processed. Subsequently, according to 303, a check is carried out to determine whether all necessary information is available and whether the information is suitable for creating a topology. According to 304, the check can yield three possible results. In a first result 304, the data is complete and of sufficient quality. The first simulation of a topology can then be created. According to a second result 305, the ECAD data is incomplete or the quality of the data is not sufficiently high. The user can then be prompted to enter an appropriate amount of ECAD data that is suitable for sufficiently enriching the data set for simulating the topology.A first simulation of the topology can then be performed. A third result 306 indicates that the relevant MCAD data is missing. A first iteration can then be performed, since a first simulation of the topology is possible if at least the complete ECAD data is available. The presence of the complete MCAD data is not absolutely necessary for simulating a first topology. According to 307, after the test, by linking data on the type, restrictions, technical properties, and placement of the components in the machine (MCAD) with data on their communicative connections (ECAD) in System 2, a first topology is simulated that essentially ensures the functionality of the system. During the simulation, an algorithm chronologically executes a set of rules 308. The set of rules 308 is previously entered into System 2.Before the second simulation is performed, previously defined preference criteria and optimization objectives can be reformulated at 309 into rules and technical conditions 310, according to which an algorithm can evaluate and classify the suitability of a topology. The rules of the rule set include, for example, conditions or objectives such as ease of maintenance, CO2 consumption, material consumption, material availability, material costs, labor effort, ease of assembly, assembly efficiency, implementation efficiency, independence from the availability of skilled workers, and the like. Based on these defined conditions 310, a second simulation can be performed at 311, which, based on the first function-ensuring topology from the first simulation, creates at least one possible topology that satisfies at least one and at most all of the conditions 310. The created topologies can then be output at 312.Optionally, at 313, after this second simulation, the created possible topologies can be analyzed for the fulfillment of conditions 310, compared for the number and type of fulfilled conditions, and examined for possible contradictions. The analysis can yield two possible results: The first result can be that at least one of the simulated topologies fulfills all defined conditions 310 and leads to the functionality of machine 1. Thus, no optimization process is necessary. The second result can be that none of the simulated topologies fulfills all defined conditions 310. An optimization process is performed which aims to combine at least two features from at least two of the topologies simulated in step 311 in order to achieve an optimization goal.A combination is only performed if a combination of at least two topologies from step 311 is possible without contradiction and the combination satisfies at least one more condition 310 than the respective uncombined topologies from 311. The output can thus provide two possible results: If the first result is correct, at least one of the optimal topologies is output without optimization. If the second result is correct, the topology that best satisfies the conditions 310 defined after optimization at 309 is output. If more than one topology satisfies the conditions equally well, all optimal topologies are output.

[0169] As already explained, an installation specification that can serve as input for the simulation can have various components. Example components are shown in Figures 6 to 9, without claiming to be exhaustive. Figure 6 shows an example of a central circuit diagram. Figure 7 shows an example connection list. Two examples of a digitized construction plan (mCAD) are shown in Figures 8 and 9.

[0170] With regard to the topology, Fig. 10 shows an example of automatic detection of connections and components according to possible embodiments of the invention. Fig. 11 shows an example of a display of a centralized topology. Two examples of displays of a decentralized topology as an optimization result according to embodiments of the invention are shown in Figs. 12 and 13.

[0171] As has also been explained above, according to some aspects of the invention, iterative refinement of a topology may occur. Example graphical user interfaces are illustrated in Figs. 14, 15, and 16. Although some aspects have been described in the context of a device, it is clear that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, wherein an element or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects described in the context of a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block, element, or feature of a corresponding device.

[0172] Embodiments of the invention may be implemented on a computer system. The computer system may be a local computing device (e.g., a personal computer, laptop, tablet computer, or mobile phone) having one or more processors and one or more storage devices, or a distributed computing system (e.g., a cloud computing system having one or more processors and one or more storage devices distributed at different locations, e.g., at a local client and / or one or more remote server farms and / or data centers). The computer system may include any circuitry or combination of circuitry. In one embodiment, the computer system may include one or more processors of any type. As used herein, the term "processor" may refer to any type of computing circuitry, e.g.,a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a multi-core processor, a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other type of processor or processing circuit. Other types of circuitry that may be included in the computer system may be a custom circuit, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or similar, such as one or more circuits (e.g., a communications circuit) for use in wireless devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, two-way radios, and similar electronic systems.The computer system may include one or more storage devices, which may include one or more storage elements suitable for the particular application, such as main memory in the form of random access memory (RAM), one or more hard disks, and / or one or more drives that handle removable media such as compact disks (CDs), flash memory cards, digital video disks (DVDs), and the like. The computer system may also include a display device, one or more speakers, and a keyboard and / or a control device, which may include a mouse, a trackball, a touchscreen, a speech recognition device, or other device that enables a system user to input information to and receive information from the computer system.

[0173] Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device, such as a processor, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the key method steps may be performed by such a device.

[0174] Depending on specific implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or software. The implementation may be performed using a non-transferable storage medium such as a digital storage medium, for example, a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a FLASH memory, on which electronically readable control signals are stored that interact (or can interact) with a programmable computer system to perform the respective method. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer-readable.

[0175] Some embodiments of the invention comprise a data carrier with electronically readable control signals capable of cooperating with a programmable computer system so that one of the methods described herein is carried out.

[0176] In general, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with program code, wherein the program code serves to perform one of the methods when the computer program product is run on a computer. The program code can, for example, be stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0177] Other embodiments include the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0178] In other words, one embodiment of the present invention is therefore a computer program having a program code for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program is running on a computer.

[0179] A further embodiment of the present invention is therefore a storage medium (or a data carrier or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is stored when executed by a processor. The data carrier, the digital storage medium, or the recorded medium is typically tangible and / or non-transferable. A further embodiment of the present invention is a device as described herein, comprising a processor and the storage medium.

[0180] A further embodiment of the invention is therefore a data stream or a sequence of signals that represent the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein. The data stream or signal sequence can, for example, be designed such that it can be transmitted via a data communication connection, e.g., via the Internet.

[0181] Another embodiment comprises a processing means, e.g., a computer or a programmable logic device, configured or adapted to perform any of the methods described herein.

[0182] A further embodiment comprises a computer on which the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is installed.

[0183] A further embodiment of the invention comprises a device or system configured to transmit a computer program for performing one of the methods described herein to a recipient (e.g., electronically or optically). The recipient may be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device, or the like. The device or system may, for example, comprise a file server for transmitting the computer program to the recipient.

[0184] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field-programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functions of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field-programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform any of the methods described herein. In general, the methods are preferably performed by any hardware device.

[0185] List of reference symbols

[0186] 1 machine, system

[0187] 2 systems

[0188] 3 Master module 4 Module, component, connection module

[0189] 5 devices, sensors, actuators

[0190] 6 Hub

[0191] 8 Control device, PLC

[0192] 9 Control cabinet

[0193] 13 Energy supply

[0194] 20 computer programs

[0195] 21 Bus system

[0196] 30 Device

[0197] 31 computers

[0198] 32 User interface

[0199] 33 data storage

[0200] 41 Display element

[0201] 42 connection point, slot

[0202] 100 procedures

[0203] 101 first procedural step

[0204] 102 second procedural step

[0205] 103 third procedural step

[0206] 104 fourth procedural step

[0207] 200 Installation Specification

[0208] 210 Investigation device

[0209] 220 linking unit

[0210] 230 Decision-making unit

[0211] 240 enrichment unit

[0212] 250 Preference system

[0213] 261 first simulation unit

[0214] 262 second simulation unit 270 output unit

[0215] 301 further process step: Determination of mCAD data

[0216] 302 Further process step: Determination of eCAD data 303 Further process step: Testing

[0217] 304 further procedural step: receipt of first result

[0218] 305 further procedural step: receipt of second result

[0219] 306 further procedural step: receipt of third result

[0220] 307 Next step: Receipt of first simulation 308 Next step: Provision of rules

[0221] 309 further process step: optimization

[0222] 310 further procedural step: provision of framework conditions

[0223] 311 further process step: second simulation

[0224] 312 Next process step: Provision of topology 313 Next process step: Analysis

[0225] 314 further process step: Further provision of topology

Claims

Patent claims 1. A method (100) for computer-aided creation of a decentralized electrical topology for a machine (1), in particular a system (1), based on an installation specification (200), comprising: Determining (101) at least one piece of installation information from the installation specification (200), in particular from a digitized circuit and / or construction plan, wherein the installation specification (200) specifies a functionality of the machine (1), wherein preferably the at least one piece of installation information comprises eCAD and / or mCAD data; Simulating (102) at least one decentralized electrical topology of spatially decentralized electrical components (4) of the machine (1), wherein the simulation is carried out on the basis of the at least one determined piece of installation information, taking into account the specified functionality of the machine (1); and Initiating (103) an output of at least one decentralized electrical topology based on the simulation (102).

2. The method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the step of simulating (102) the at least one decentralized electrical topology comprises the following steps: Determining at least one machine specification from the installation specification (200), wherein the machine specification preferably comprises: data on a type and / or restrictions and / or technical properties and / or placements of the electrical components in the machine (1); and Linking the determined machine specification with a communication specification for at least one communication connection of the electrical components (4) in the machine (1).

3. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of simulating (102) the at least one decentralized electrical topology comprises the following step: Evaluating a predefined set of rules to create the decentralized electrical topology based on the set of rules, wherein the set of rules preferably defines the decentralized electrical topology.

4. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the following steps are performed: Providing at least one evaluation criterion, which preferably comprises at least one installation preference and / or at least one optimization objective and / or at least one installation condition for an installation of the decentralized electrical topology; and Simulating at least one further decentralized electrical topology based on, preferably by changing, the simulated at least one decentralized electrical topology and based on the at least one provided evaluation criterion, preferably for creating an optimal decentralized electrical topology that satisfies at least one or at most all of the at least one evaluation criterion; wherein initiating the output of the at least one decentralized electrical topology comprises: Initiating the output of at least one of the simulated further decentralized electrical topologies, preferably the optimal decentralized electrical topology.

5. The method (100) according to claim 4, wherein the method (100) comprises the following further step after simulating the at least one further decentralized electrical topology: Analyzing the at least one simulated, further decentralized, electrical topology with regard to fulfillment of the at least one evaluation criterion, wherein preferably a number and type of the fulfilled evaluation criteria as well as possible contradictions are taken into account, wherein preferably the analysis comprises a comparison of the already simulated, further decentralized, electrical topology.

6. The method (100) according to claim 5, wherein the following step is performed: Carrying out an optimization process in which at least two features from at least two of the simulated further decentralized electrical topologies are combined to create the optimal decentralized electrical topology, preferably only under the condition that the combination is possible without contradiction.

7. The method (100) according to claim 6, wherein the optimization process is skipped and at least or exactly one of the simulated further decentralized electrical topologies is created as the optimal decentralized electrical topology if a result of the analysis shows that this topology satisfies the at least one evaluation criterion, otherwise the optimization process is carried out to create the optimal decentralized electrical topology.

8. The method (100) according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein initiating the output of the at least one decentralized electrical topology comprises an output of a plurality of identified optimal topological arrangements of spatially decentralized electrical components, preferably when they equally satisfy the at least one evaluation criterion.

9. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (100) comprises the further following steps: Checking the completeness and / or suitability of the at least one piece of installation information determined, in particular the eCAD and mCAD data, for simulating (102) the at least one decentralized electrical topology; and Determining a simulation strategy for simulating (102) the at least one decentralized electrical topology depending on a result of the testing, wherein the simulation (102) is carried out if the testing shows that the at least one piece of installation information determined is complete and / or suitable, in particular qualitatively sufficient, wherein the simulation (102) is preferably also carried out if the testing shows that mCAD data are missing in the at least one piece of installation information determined, wherein otherwise a user input is preferably initiated to enter missing installation information.

10. The method (100) according to claim 9, wherein, in the event that the checking reveals that part of the at least one piece of installation information determined, preferably the eCAD data, is incomplete and / or qualitatively insufficient, a user input for entering the part, in particular the eCAD data, is initiated in order to enrich the at least one piece of installation information determined with the part, in particular the eCAD data, in such a way that the simulation (102) for creating the at least one decentralized, electrical topology is enabled.

11. The method (100) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein at least a part of the at least one piece of installation information determined is generated from historical data, in particular in the case that the checking reveals that mCAD data is missing in the at least one piece of installation information determined.

12. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the output comprises at least one of the following information: an indication of the cabling of the electrical topology; a parts list for the components of the machine (1); a generated equipment identification for an optimized decentralized, electrical topology; an indication of the connections between the components; installation instructions regarding a sequence of connection of the components; installation support of a plant during the installation of the machine (1), preferably by means of at least one installation instruction; and an electrical connection and / or circuit diagram.

13. A system for computer-aided creation of a decentralized, electrical topology for a machine (1), in particular a system (1), based on an installation specification (200), comprising: a determination device (210), in particular an input device and / or a camera and / or a data storage device, for determining, in particular reading in or inputting, at least one piece of installation information of the installation specification (200), in particular mCAD and / or eCAD data; a device (30) for data processing, comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method (100) according to one of the preceding claims.

14. A computer program (20) comprising instructions which, when the computer program (20) is executed by a computer (30), cause the computer (30) to carry out the steps of the method (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. A data processing device (30) comprising means for carrying out the steps of the method (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

Images