A method for operating a dual control unit and an IO-Link master providing that method.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating a dual control unit and an IO-Link master providing the method, wherein the IO-Link master of the present invention includes a first control unit that transmits first data collected by a first IO-Link device to a higher-level control unit and controls the first IO-Link device in accordance with a first control signal of the higher-level control unit, and a second control unit that transmits second data collected by a second IO-Link device to the higher-level control unit and controls the second IO-Link device in accordance with a second control signal of the higher-level control unit, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit each communicate at predetermined intervals to diagnose the occurrence of a fault event on the other side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] [Cross - reference to Related Applications]

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0160502 filed on November 20, 2023, and all the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as part of this specification.

[0003] The present invention relates to a method of operating a dual control unit and an IO - Link master providing such a method.

Background Art

[0004] IO - Link is a digital point - to - point wired (or wireless) serial communication protocol that uses a three - wire cable widely used for connecting sensors and actuators. It also handles devices that require additional power including a standard five - wire wired interface. IO - Link was developed by the IO - Link Consortium and was integrated in 2010 as "SDCI (Single Drop Digital Communication Interface) for Small Sensors and Actuators" into the IEC 61131 - 9 standard for programmable logic controllers (PLCs).

[0005] An IO - Link system consists of an IO - Link master and IO - Link devices (such as sensors, actuators, etc.). All IO - Link devices are connected to the IO - Link master. Also, a higher - level controller (PLC) executes a user program and exchanges I / O with the IO - Link master. Through a fieldbus (e.g., EtherCAT, Profibus or Omron NX bus), the higher - level controller (PLC) connects the master device and the IO - Link master as a slave device.

[0006] On the other hand, an IO-Link master has a single microcontroller (MCU) that manages and operates approximately eight IO ports. If the MCU fails and is unable to perform its intended functions smoothly, all IO-Link devices connected to the IO-Link master will be unable to communicate. Such a failure event can lead to serious problems, requiring the shutdown of all equipment and lines connected to the IO-Link master. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] The present invention provides a method for operating a dual control unit, and an IO-Link master that provides this method, which can prevent the problem of the entire IO-Link system being interrupted even if a failure event occurs in the control unit included in the IO-Link master. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An IO-Link master according to one feature of the present invention includes a first control unit that transmits first data collected by a first IO-Link device to a higher-level control unit and controls the first IO-Link device in accordance with a first control signal of the higher-level control unit, and a second control unit that transmits second data collected by a second IO-Link device to the higher-level control unit and controls the second IO-Link device in accordance with a second control signal of the higher-level control unit, wherein the first control unit and the second control unit each communicate at a predetermined interval to diagnose the occurrence of a fault event on the other side.

[0009] The first control unit and the second control unit can each diagnose the occurrence of the failure event if no communication message is received for a reference time or longer.

[0010] When the first control unit and the second control unit diagnose the occurrence of the failure event, they can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the higher-level control unit.

[0011] The first IO-Link device can transmit first data to the first transceiver using a first communication method, and the second IO-Link device can transmit second data to the second transceiver using a second communication method.

[0012] The IO-Link master may further include a first transceiver connected to the first IO-Link device through a first IO port, which receives the first data and transmits the received first data to the first control unit, and a second transceiver connected to the second IO-Link device through a second IO port, which receives the second data and transmits the received second data to the second control unit.

[0013] The present invention includes a master control unit that transmits data collected by an IO-Link device according to other features of the present invention to a higher-level control unit and controls the IO-Link device according to control signals of the higher-level control unit, and a slave control unit that communicates with the master control unit at predetermined intervals to diagnose the occurrence of a failure event in the master control unit and performs a role that the master control unit would normally perform.

[0014] If the slave control unit does not receive a communication message from the master control unit for a specified period of time or longer, it can diagnose that the failure event has occurred in the master control unit.

[0015] When the slave control unit diagnoses the occurrence of the failure event, it can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the higher-level control unit.

[0016] A method for operating a dual control unit according to another feature of the present invention includes the steps of: driving an IO-Link master by having a first control unit control the first IO-Link device in accordance with a first control signal of a higher-level control unit, and having a second control unit control the second IO-Link device in accordance with a second control signal of a higher-level control unit; when a predetermined period arrives, the first control unit and the second control unit diagnose the occurrence of a fault event on the other side; and if, as a result of the diagnosis, the fault event has occurred, the first control unit or the second control unit transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the fault event on the other side to the higher-level control unit.

[0017] The step of diagnosing the occurrence of a failure event on the other side allows for the operation of a dual control unit that diagnoses the occurrence of a failure event if no communication messages are received for a standard time or longer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] This invention provides an IO-Link Master equipped with dual control units, which prevents the interruption of the entire IO-Link system operation by ensuring that the IO-Link Master is driven by the remaining control unit even if a failure event occurs in one of the control units.

[0019] The present invention allows for the expansion of the types of IO-Link devices connected to the IO-Link master by configuring the dual control units to use different communication protocols. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] This is a conceptual diagram illustrating an IO-Link system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure illustrates in detail the configuration of the IO-Link master shown in Figure 1 according to one embodiment. [Figure 3]It is a diagram for explaining in detail the configuration of the IO-Link master of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart for explaining a method of operating a dual MCU according to an embodiment.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same or similar components, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted. The suffixes "module" and / or "section" for the components used in the following description are given or mixed only for the ease of preparing the specification, and do not have meanings or roles that are distinguishable from each other by themselves. In addition, when explaining the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of related known technologies may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the detailed description thereof is omitted. Also, the accompanying drawings are only for facilitating the understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the accompanying drawings, and should be understood to include any modifications, equivalents or alternatives included in the idea and technical scope of the present invention.

[0022] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first, second, etc. can be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0023] When it is mentioned that a certain component is "connected to" or "connected with" another component, it should be understood that it can be directly connected or connected to the other component, but there can also be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a certain component is "directly connected to" or "directly connected with" another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0024] In this application, terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to specify the presence of the features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and shall not be construed as precluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an IO-Link system according to an embodiment.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the IO-Link system 1 includes a host control unit (PLC, Programmable logic Controller) 10, an IO-Link master (IO-Link Master) 20, and an IO-Link device (IO-Link Device) 30.

[0027] IO-Link is an industrial communication standard designed to connect sensors and / or actuators of an industrial system to a control network (e.g., a PLC). IO-Link is a point-to-point communication link based on a standard connector and cable protocol. The IO-Link system 1 is developed to interoperate with an industry-standard 3-wire sensor and actuator infrastructure, enabling bidirectional data exchange between sensors and devices.

[0028] In Figure 1, each of the multiple IO-Link masters 20-a, 20-b, 20-c, and 20-n may be connected to an adjacent IO-Link master 20 in a ring-shaped communication network. For example, the first IO-Link master 20-a may have one end connected to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 and the other end connected to an adjacent second IO-Link master 20-b. As another example, the second IO-Link master 20-b may have one end connected to an adjacent first IO-Link master 20-b and the other end connected to an adjacent third IO-Link master 20-c. However, it is not limited to these, and the multiple IO-Link masters 20-a, 20-b, 20-c, 20-n and the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 can be connected and communicate in a variety of ways.

[0029] The higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 may be the main control unit that manages the entire IO-Link system 1. The higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 can analyze the data collected by the IO-Link devices 30 and generate control signals based on the analysis results. For example, referring to Figure 1, when multiple data is received from multiple IO-Link devices through multiple IO-Link masters 20-a, 20-b, 20-c, and 20-n, it can comprehensively analyze this data and generate control signals.

[0030] The IO-Link master 20 may also be a sub-control unit that assists the functions of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. The IO-Link master 20 can control the IO-Link devices 30 according to the control signals transmitted by the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. Specifically, the IO-Link master 20 can be directly connected to multiple IO-Link devices 30 in various industrial settings and can transmit data received from the multiple IO-Link devices 30 to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. In addition, the IO-Link master 20 can directly control multiple IO-Link devices 30 according to the control signals transmitted by the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a configuration where one IO-Link device 30 is connected to one IO-Link master 20-c. However, this configuration is not limited to this, and multiple IO-Link devices may be connected to the IO-Link master 20-c. Hereafter, the designation "j" will be used to refer to a specific IO-Link master among the multiple IO-Link masters 20-a, 20-b, 20-c, and 20-n. However, for convenience of description, the designation "j" will be omitted when referring to the control unit, Ethernet® port, IO port, and transceiver included in the IO-Link master 20-j.

[0032] The IO-Link device 30 may be a device that senses various types of information in an industrial setting. For example, the IO-Link device 30 may include sensors and actuators that correspond to the peripheral nerves of an automated smart factory or smart plant.

[0033] In the IO-Link system 1, the sensor is equipped with IO-Link connectivity and, unlike ordinary sensors, can send event data, process data, and service data to the higher-level control unit 10. The higher-level control unit 10 can then maintain, repair, and manage various industrial equipment connected to the sensor and / or actuator in real time via control signals. For example, the sensor may be one that tracks and reports position, displacement, temperature, pressure, and color, and may include sensors equipped with IO-Link photoelectric sensors and RFID sensing systems.

[0034] In the IO-Link system 1, the actuator may be an electromechanical component that accommodates electrical inputs and provides some mechanical output. Furthermore, the IO-Link compatible actuator options may be diverse and may include pneumatic linear actuators, pneumatic manifolds and valves, and other options based on solenoids and stepper motors.

[0035] The IO-Link device 30 can periodically or aperiodically transmit event data, process data, and service data to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 via the IO-Link master 20.

[0036] Event data and service data are non-periodically transmitted data, while process data may be periodically transmitted data. Event data may include problem resolution information, error and maintenance alarms triggered by sensor and switch signals, and information about faulty or damaged switches. Process data may be basic operational information such as position, level, and distance, which the IO-Link device 30 continuously collects and transmits upstream to the IO-Link master 20. Service data may include information about the parameter settings, status, position, and other read values ​​of the IO-Link device 30.

[0037] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating in detail the configuration of the IO-Link master shown in Figure 1 according to one embodiment.

[0038] Referring to Figure 2, the IO-Link master 20-j includes an IO port 21, a transceiver 22, an Ethernet port 23, and a microcontroller unit (MCU) 24.

[0039] The IO port 21 may consist of multiple IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h to connect each of the multiple IO-Link devices to the IO-Link master 20-j. Figure 2 shows eight IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h, but is not limited to this, and the IO-Link master 20-j can have any number of IO ports 21. For the sake of explanation, the following description will refer to the IO port 21, but this description can be applied equally to all of the multiple IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h.

[0040] The IO port 21 may be a connection point for communication between the IO-Link device 30 and the IO-Link master 20-j. For example, when the connector of the IO-Link device 30 is inserted into the IO port 21, the IO-Link device 30 and the IO-Link master 20-j are connected and can communicate with each other.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, the IO port 21 may be configured to include four wire connections so that a port class A connector can be connected to it. The port class A connector may consist of four wires, of which three are basic connection wires and one additional wire that can be used for DI (or DO). However, it is not limited to this, and various connectors may be connected. For example, the IO port 21 may be configured to be connected to a port class B connector consisting of five wires.

[0042] The transceiver 22 may be a transceiver for communicating with the IO-Link device 30. For example, the transceiver 22 can receive data from the IO-Link device 30 connected via the IO port 21 and transmit the received data to the control unit (MCU) 24. The transceiver 22 can also transmit control signals transmitted by the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 to the IO-Link device 30 under the control of the control unit (MCU) 24.

[0043] According to the embodiment, the IO-Link master 20-j may include a plurality of transceivers 22-a, 22-b, 22-c, and 22-d. Referring to Figure 2, one transceiver 22 can communicate with two IO-Link devices 30. For example, the first transceiver 22-a can communicate with a first IO-Link device (not shown) and a second IO-Link device (not shown) connected through the first IO port 21-a and the second IO port 21-b, respectively. As another example, the second transceiver 22-b can communicate with a third IO-Link device (not shown) and a fourth IO-Link device (not shown) connected through the third IO port 21-c and the fourth IO port 21-d, respectively. However, it is not limited thereto, and a single transceiver 22 may be configured to communicate with two or more IO-Link devices 30.

[0044] The Ethernet port 23 may also be a connection point for communication with other IO-Link masters 20-j. Alternatively, the Ethernet port 23 may be a connection point for communication between the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 and the control unit (MCU) 24. For example, the Ethernet port 23 may, under the control of the control unit (MCU) 24, transmit a signal to another IO-Link master 20-j that is already connected, or receive a signal transmitted from another IO-Link master 20-j and transmit it to the control unit (MCU) 24. As another example, the Ethernet port 23 may, under the control of the control unit (MCU) 24, transmit a signal to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10, or receive a signal transmitted from the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 and transmit it to the control unit (MCU) 24.

[0045] As explained earlier in Figure 1, the Ethernet port 23 may be a part that connects a ring-shaped communication line between multiple IO-Link masters 20-a, 20-b, 20-c, and 20-n. According to the embodiment, the IO-Link master 20-j may include a first Ethernet port 23-a and a second Ethernet port 23-b. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, for example, in the first IO-Link master 20-a, the first Ethernet port 23-a may be a transceiver for communication with the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10, and the second Ethernet port 23-b may be a transceiver for communication with the second IO-Link master 20-b. However, it is not limited to this, and the IO-Link master 20-j may be configured to communicate with multiple IO-Link masters 20-j or higher-level control units (PLC) 10 using a single Ethernet port 23.

[0046] The control unit 24 may be a sub-control unit that controls the IO-Link device 30 according to control signals transmitted by the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. For example, the control unit 24 may be composed of an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). In contrast, the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 may be the main control unit and may be the final control device used for maintenance, management, automatic control, and monitoring of an industrial plant. For example, if the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 generates a predetermined control signal (e.g., reduce the pressure to below a reference value) for controlling the IO-Link device 30 based on data received from the control unit 24 (e.g., the measured pressure value is above a reference value) and transmits it to the control unit 24, the control unit 24 can control the IO-Link device 30 according to the control signal.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the control unit 24 may include a first control unit 24-a and a second control unit 24-b that share the functions of the IO-Link master 20-j. Each of the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b can control bidirectional data transmission and reception between the IO-Link device 30 connected via its respective IO port 21 and the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. By configuring each of the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b to connect with IO-Link devices 30 using other communication protocols, it is possible to expect to expand the types of IO-Link devices 30 that can communicate with the IO-Link master 20-j.

[0048] The first control unit 24-a can, for example, receive data from the first to fourth IO-Link devices through the first transceiver 22-a and the second transceiver 22-b, and control the first to fourth IO-Link devices according to the control signals of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10.

[0049] Specifically, the first transceiver 22-a can receive data from a first IO-Link device (not shown) and a second IO-Link device (not shown) connected through the first IO port 21-a and the second IO port 21-b, and transmit the received data to the first control unit 24-a. The second transceiver 22-b can receive data from a third IO-Link device (not shown) and a fourth IO-Link device (not shown) connected through the third IO port 21-c and the fourth IO port 21-d, and transmit the received data to the first control unit 24-a. When the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 generates a control signal based on the data transmitted from the first to fourth IO-Link devices, the first control unit 24-a can control the first to fourth IO-Link devices according to the control signal.

[0050] The second control unit 24-b can, for example, receive data from the fifth to eighth IO-Link devices through the third transceiver 22-c and the fourth transceiver 22-d, and control the fifth to eighth IO-Link devices according to the control signals of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10.

[0051] Specifically, the third transceiver 22-c can receive data from a fifth IO-Link device (not shown) and a sixth IO-Link device (not shown) connected through the fifth IO port 21-e and the sixth IO port 21-f, and transmit the received data to the second control unit 24-b. The fourth transceiver 22-d can receive data from a seventh IO-Link device (not shown) and an eighth IO-Link device (not shown) connected through the seventh IO port 21-g and the eighth IO port 21-h, and transmit the received data to the first control unit 24-a. When the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 generates a control signal based on the data transmitted from the fifth to eighth IO-Link devices, the second control unit 24-b can control the fifth to eighth IO-Link devices according to the control signal.

[0052] According to the embodiment, the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b can communicate with each other at regular intervals to diagnose their health. For example, each of the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b can send and receive heartbeats, which are signals sent at regular intervals to check their status, and can diagnose the fault state of the other unit based on whether or not there is a change in the received data. As another example, each of the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b can diagnose the fault state of the other unit if communication is not possible for more than a predetermined reference time (for example, if a communication message is not received).

[0053] When the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b diagnoses a fault event on the other side, it can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the fault event to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. This allows the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 to immediately proceed with subsequent processing corresponding to the fault event. Furthermore, the operation of IO-Link devices 30 connected to the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b, which are not in a faulty state, is not interrupted. Therefore, according to one embodiment, the problem of the operation of all IO-Link devices 30 connected to the IO-Link master 20-j being interrupted due to a failure of the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b does not occur.

[0054] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating in detail the configuration of the IO-Link master shown in Figure 1 according to another embodiment.

[0055] Since many of the configurations and functions of the IO port 21, transceiver 22, and Ethernet port 23 shown in Figure 3 are the same as those shown in Figure 2, the explanations for the IO port 21, transceiver 22, and Ethernet port 23 shown in Figure 3 will be replaced by the explanations for Figure 2.

[0056] In another embodiment, referring to Figure 3, the IO-Link master 20-j includes a master control unit 24-a that acts as a master and a slave control unit 24-b that acts as a slave. For example, referring to Figure 3, multiple IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h may be connected in parallel to the master control unit 24-a and the slave control unit 24-b. In other words, both the master control unit 24-a and the slave control unit 24-b may have the same accessibility to multiple IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h and perform the same functions.

[0057] In Figure 2, according to one embodiment, the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b share the functions of the IO-Link master 20-j. However, in Figure 3, according to another embodiment, the master control unit 24-a performs all the functions of the IO-Link master 20-j, and if a failure event occurs in the master control unit 24-a, the slave control unit 24-b takes over the role of the master control unit 24-a.

[0058] Specifically, referring to Figure 2, the first control unit 24-a may be connected to the first transceiver 22-a and the second transceiver 22-b, and the second control unit 24-b may be connected to the third transceiver 22-c and the fourth transceiver 22-d. However, referring to Figure 3, both the master control unit 24-a and the slave control unit 24-b may be connected to the first to fourth transceivers 22-a, 22-b, 22-c, and 22-d.

[0059] In normal mode, when the master control unit 24-a performs its already configured operations correctly, the master control unit 24-a can control bidirectional data transmission and reception between multiple IO-Link devices connected through multiple IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h and the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. In event mode, when a failure event occurs in the master control unit 24-a, the slave control unit 24-b can take over all of the roles of the master control unit 24-a. Therefore, according to another embodiment, even if the master control unit 24-a is in a failure state, all IO-Link devices 30 connected to the IO-Link master 20-j can be operated normally by the slave control unit 24-b.

[0060] The slave control unit 24-b can communicate with the master control unit 24-a at regular intervals to diagnose the health of the master control unit 24-a. For example, the slave control unit 24-b can send a heartbeat signal, which is a signal sent at regular intervals to check the status, to the master control unit 24-a, and diagnose the failure state of the master control unit 24-a based on whether or not there is a change in the data received from the master control unit 24-a. As another example, if the master control unit 24-a is unable to communicate for a predetermined reference time (for example, if no communication message is received), the slave control unit 24-b can diagnose the failure state of the master control unit 24-a.

[0061] When the slave control unit 24-b diagnoses a failure event in the master control unit 24-a, it can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the failure event to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. This allows the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 to immediately proceed with the subsequent processing corresponding to the failure event. Furthermore, multiple IO-Link devices 30 connected through multiple IO ports 21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, and 21-h can be operated normally as before under the control of the slave control unit 24-b.

[0062] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating a dual MCU according to one embodiment.

[0063] Referring to Figure 4, the first control unit 24-a controls the first IO-Link device according to the first control signal of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10, and the second control unit 24-b controls the second IO-Link device according to the second control signal of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 to drive the IO-Link master (S100).

[0064] Referring to Figure 2, the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b can each control bidirectional data transmission and reception between the IO-Link device 30 and the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10, which are connected via their respective IO ports 21.

[0065] The first control unit 24-a can, for example, receive data from the first to fourth IO-Link devices through the first transceiver 22-a and the second transceiver 22-b, and control the first to fourth IO-Link devices according to the control signals of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10. The second control unit 24-b can, for example, receive data from the fifth to eighth IO-Link devices through the third transceiver 22-c and the fourth transceiver 22-d, and control the fifth to eighth IO-Link devices according to the control signals of the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10.

[0066] Next, the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b communicate with each other at regular intervals to diagnose the occurrence of a fault event (S200).

[0067] For example, the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b each send and receive heartbeats, which are signals sent at regular intervals to check the status, and can diagnose the fault status of the other party based on whether or not there is a change in the received data. As another example, the first control unit 24-a and the second control unit 24-b each can diagnose the fault status of the other party if communication is not possible for more than a predetermined reference time (for example, if a communication message is not received).

[0068] Next, if a failure event occurs in the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b (S300, Yes), the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b, which has not experienced a failure event, transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 (S400).

[0069] As a result, the higher-level control unit (PLC) 10 can immediately proceed with subsequent processing in response to the failure event. Furthermore, the operation of IO-Link devices 30 connected to the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b, which are not in a failure state, will not be interrupted. Therefore, according to one embodiment, the problem of the operation of all IO-Link devices 30 connected to the IO-Link master 20-j being interrupted due to a failure of the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b does not occur.

[0070] Next, if no failure event has occurred in the first control unit 24-a or the second control unit 24-b (S300, No), the process proceeds to step S200.

[0071] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and improvements made by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0072]

Claims

1. A first control unit transmits first data collected by the first IO-Link device to a higher-level control unit, and controls the first IO-Link device according to a first control signal of the higher-level control unit, and The system includes a second control unit that transmits the second data collected by the second IO-Link device to the higher-level control unit and controls the second IO-Link device according to the second control signal of the higher-level control unit. Each of the first control unit and the second control unit is: The IO-Link master communicates at predetermined intervals to diagnose the occurrence of failure events on the other side.

2. Each of the first control unit and the second control unit is: The IO-Link master according to claim 1, which diagnoses the occurrence of the aforementioned failure event if no communication messages are received for a standard time or longer.

3. Each of the first control unit and the second control unit is: The IO-Link master according to claim 1 or 2, which, upon diagnosing the occurrence of the failure event, transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the higher-level control unit.

4. The first IO-Link device is The first data is transmitted to the first transceiver using the first communication method. The second IO-Link device is The IO-Link master according to claim 1 or 2, which transmits second data to a second transceiver using a second communication method.

5. A first transceiver connected to the first IO-Link device via a first IO port, which receives the first data and transmits the received first data to the first control unit, and The IO-Link master according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a second transceiver connected to the second IO-Link device via a second IO port, which receives the second data and transmits the received second data to the second control unit.

6. A master control unit that transmits data collected by an IO-Link device to a higher-level control unit and controls the IO-Link device according to control signals from the higher-level control unit, and An IO-Link master, which includes a slave control unit that performs a role on behalf of the master control unit, by communicating with the master control unit at predetermined intervals to diagnose the occurrence of a failure event in the master control unit.

7. The slave control unit, The IO-Link master according to claim 6, wherein if no communication message is received from the master control unit for a specified period of time or longer, the master control unit diagnoses that the failure event has occurred.

8. The slave control unit, The IO-Link master according to claim 6 or 7, wherein, upon diagnosing the occurrence of the aforementioned failure event, transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the higher-level control unit.

9. The first control unit controls the first IO-Link device according to the first control signal of the higher-level control unit, and the second control unit controls the second IO-Link device according to the second control signal of the higher-level control unit to drive the IO-Link master. When a predetermined period arrives, the first control unit and the second control unit diagnose the occurrence of a fault event on the other side, and A method for operating a dual control system, which includes the step of the first control unit or the second control unit transmitting an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the fault event on the other side to the higher-level control unit if the diagnosis indicates that the fault event has occurred.

10. The step of diagnosing the occurrence of the aforementioned failure event on the other side is: The method according to claim 9, wherein a dual control unit is operated to diagnose the occurrence of the fault event if no communication message is received for a standard time or longer.

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