Dual controller operating method and IO-link master providing same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dual controller operating method and an IO-link master providing the method. The IO-link master of the present invention includes: a first controller that transmits first data collected by a first IO-link device to a higher-level controller and controls the first IO-link device according to a first control signal of the higher-level controller; and a second controller that transmits second data collected by a second IO-link device to the higher-level controller and controls the second IO-link device according to a second control signal of the higher-level controller, wherein the first controller and the second controller communicate with each other at predetermined intervals to diagnose the occurrence of a failure event of the other party.

Description

Method of operating a dual control unit and providing the method thereof, i-Link Master

[0001] Cross-citation with related application(s)

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0160502, filed November 20, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for operating a dual control unit and an io-link master providing the method.

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

[0005] An IO-Link system consists of an IO-Link master and IO-Link devices (e.g. sensors, actuators, etc.). All IO-Link devices are connected to the IO-Link master. In addition, a higher-level control unit (PLC) executes the user program and exchanges I / O with the IO-Link master. Via a field bus (e.g. EtherCAT, Profibus, or Omron NX bus), the PLC acts as the master device and the IO-Link master acts as the slave device.

[0006] Meanwhile, in an IO-Link master, a single control unit (MCU) manages and operates approximately eight IO ports. If the MCU fails or fails to perform its intended functions, all IO-Link devices connected to the IO-Link master will be unable to communicate. Such a failure event can result in serious problems, requiring the shutdown of all equipment and lines connected to the IO-Link master.

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

[0008] According to one feature of the present invention, an io-link master includes a first control unit that transmits first data collected by a first io-link device to a higher control unit and controls the first io-link device according to a first control signal of the higher control unit, and a second control unit that transmits second data collected by a second io-link device to the higher control unit and controls the second io-link device according to a second control signal of the higher control unit, wherein each of the first control unit and the second control unit communicates at a predetermined cycle to diagnose the occurrence of a failure event of the other party.

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

[0010] Each of the first control unit and the second control unit, when diagnosing the occurrence of the fault event, can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the fault event to the upper control unit.

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

[0012] The above-described io-link master may further include a first transceiver connected to the first io-link device through a first io port to receive the first data and transmit the received first data to the first control unit, and a first transceiver connected to the second io-link device through a second io port to receive the second data and transmit the received second data to the second control unit.

[0013] According to another feature of the present invention, the iO-link device includes a master control unit that transmits data collected by the iO-link device to a higher control unit and controls the iO-link device according to a control signal from the higher control unit, and a slave control unit that performs the role performed by the master control unit by communicating with the master control unit at a predetermined cycle and diagnosing the occurrence of a failure event of the master control unit.

[0014] The slave control unit can diagnose that a failure event has occurred in the master control unit if no communication message is received from the master control unit for a reference time or longer.

[0015] The slave control unit, when diagnosing the occurrence of the fault event, can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the fault event to the upper control unit.

[0016] A method for operating a dual control unit according to another feature of the present invention comprises the steps of: a first control unit controlling the first io-link device according to a first control signal of a higher control unit, and a second control unit controlling the second io-link device according to a second control signal of the higher control unit to drive an io-link master; a step in which, when a predetermined period arrives, the first control unit and the second control unit diagnose the occurrence of a failure event of the other party; and a step in which, when the diagnosis results indicate that the failure event has occurred, the first control unit or the second control unit transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event of the other party to the higher control unit.

[0017] The step of diagnosing the occurrence of the above-mentioned counterparty's failure event may operate a dual control unit that diagnoses the occurrence of the above-mentioned failure event if no communication message is received for a reference time or longer.

[0018] The present invention is configured to mount a dual control unit on an IO-Link Master so that even if a failure event occurs in some of the control units, the IO-Link Master is driven by the remaining control units, thereby preventing the problem of the entire IO-Link System being interrupted.

[0019] The present invention can expand the types of IO-Link devices connected to an IO-Link master by configuring the dual control units to use different communication protocols.

[0020] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an iO-link system according to an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a drawing detailing the configuration of the Io-Link master of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a drawing detailing the configuration of the Io-Link master of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a dual MCU according to one embodiment.

[0024] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The same or similar components will be given the same or similar drawing reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and / or "part" used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0025] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0026] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0027] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0028]

[0029] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an iO-link system according to one embodiment.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, the IO-Link system (1) includes an upper control unit (PLC, Programmable Logic Controller) (10), an IO-Link Master (20), and an IO-Link Device (30).

[0031] IO-Link is an industrial communications standard designed to connect sensors and / or actuators in industrial systems to control networks (e.g., PLCs). IO-Link is a point-to-point communication link based on standard connectors and cable protocols. The IO-Link system (1) was developed to interface with industry-standard 3-wire sensor and actuator infrastructures, enabling bidirectional data exchange between sensors and devices.

[0032] In Fig. 1, each of a plurality of IO-Link masters (20-a, 20-b, 20-c, 20-n) can be connected to a communication line in a ring type with an IO-Link master (20) positioned adjacently. For example, a first IO-Link master (20-a) can have one end connected to a higher level control unit (PLC) (10) and the other end connected to a second IO-Link master (20-b) positioned adjacently. As another example, a second IO-Link master (20-b) can have one end connected to the first IO-Link master (20-b) positioned adjacently and the other end connected to a third IO-Link master (20-c) positioned adjacently. However, it is not limited to this, and multiple IO-Link masters (20-a, 20-b, 20-c, 20-n) and upper control unit (PLC) (10) can be connected and communicated in various ways.

[0033] The upper control unit (PLC) (10) may be a main control unit that manages the entire IO-Link system (1). The upper control unit (PLC) (10) may analyze data collected by the IO-Link device (30) and generate a control signal based on the analysis results. For example, referring to Fig. 1, when a plurality of data are received from a plurality of IO-Link devices through a plurality of IO-Link masters (20-a, 20-b, 20-c, 20-n), the data may be comprehensively analyzed to generate a control signal.

[0034] The io-link master (20) may be a sub-control unit that assists the function of the upper control unit (PLC) (10). The io-link master (20) may control the io-link device (30) according to the control signal transmitted by the upper control unit (PLC) (10). Specifically, the io-link master (20) may be directly connected to a plurality of io-link devices (30) in various industrial sites, and may transmit data received from the plurality of io-link devices (30) to the upper control unit (PLC) (10). In addition, the io-link master (20) may directly control a plurality of io-link devices (30) according to the control signal transmitted by the upper control unit (PLC) (10).

[0035] In FIG. 1, one IO-Link device (30) is illustrated as being connected to one IO-Link master (20-c), but this is not limited thereto, and multiple IO-Link devices may be connected to the IO-Link master (20-c). Hereinafter, when indicating a specific IO-Link master among multiple IO-Link masters (20-a, 20-b, 20-c, 20-n), the drawing symbol “j” is used. However, for convenience of description, the control unit, Ethernet port, IO port, and transceiver included in the IO-Link master (20-j) are each written with “j” omitted.

[0036] 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 corresponding to the peripheral nerves of an automated smart factory or smart plant.

[0037] In the IO-Link system (1), the sensor is a sensor equipped with an IO-Link connection function, and unlike a general sensor, it can send event data, process data, and service data to the upper control unit (10). Then, the upper control unit (10) can perform real-time maintenance, repair, and management of various industrial facilities connected to the sensor and / or actuator through the control signal. For example, the sensor may be a sensor that tracks and reports position, displacement, temperature, pressure, and color, and may include an IO-Link photoelectric sensor and a sensor equipped with an RFID detection system.

[0038] In the IO-Link system (1), an actuator may be an electromechanical component that accepts electrical input and produces some mechanical output. Furthermore, IO-Link-compatible actuator options may vary and include pneumatic linear actuators, pneumatic manifolds and valves, and other solenoid- and stepper-motor-based options.

[0039] The io-link device (30) can transmit event data, process data, and service data to the upper control unit (PLC) (10) through the io-link master (20) periodically or aperiodically.

[0040] Event data and service data may be data transmitted aperiodically, while process data may be data transmitted periodically. Event data may include troubleshooting information triggered by sensor and switch signals, error and maintenance alarms, and information about faulty or damaged switches. Process data may be basic operating information, such as location, level, and distance, that the io-link device (30) continuously collects and transmits upstream to the io-link master (20). Service data may include information about parameter settings, status, location, and other read values ​​of the io-link device (30).

[0041]

[0042] FIG. 2 is a drawing detailing the configuration of the Io-Link master of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 2, the IO-Link master (20-j) includes an IO port (21), a transceiver (22), an Ethernet port (23), and a control unit (MCU) (24).

[0044] The IO port (21) may be configured with a plurality of IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h) to connect each of a plurality of IO-link devices and the IO-link master (20-j). In FIG. 2, eight IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h) are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the IO-link master (20-j) may include a variety of IO ports (21). Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the IO port (21) is described, but the description can be equally applied to all of the IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h).

[0045] The IO port (21) may be a connection part 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.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 2, the IO port (21) may be configured to include four wire connections to which a port class A connector may be connected. The port class A connector may be composed of four wires, three basic connection wires and one additional wire that may be used as a DI (or DO). However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various connectors may be connected. For example, the IO port (21) may be configured to allow a port class B connector composed of five wires to be connected.

[0047] The transceiver (22) may be a transmitting and receiving device for communicating with the IO-Link device (30). For example, the transceiver (22) may receive data from the IO-Link device (30) connected through the IO port (21) and transmit the received data to the control unit (MCU) (24). In addition, the transceiver (22) may transmit a control signal transmitted by the upper control unit (PLC) (10) to the IO-Link device (30) under the control of the control unit (MCU) (24).

[0048] According to an embodiment, the IO-LINK master (20-j) may include a plurality of transceivers (22-a, 22-b, 22-c, 22-d). Referring to FIG. 2, one transceiver (22) may communicate with two IO-LINK devices (30). For example, a first transceiver (22-a) may communicate with a first IO-LINK device (not shown) and a second IO-LINK device (not shown) connected through a first IO port (21-a) and a second IO port (21-b), respectively. As another example, a second transceiver (22-b) may communicate with a third IO-LINK device (not shown) and a fourth IO-LINK device (not shown) connected through a third IO port (21-c) and a fourth IO port (21-d), respectively. However, it is not limited thereto, and one transceiver (22) may be configured to communicate with two or more IO-Link devices (30).

[0049] The Ethernet port (23) may be a connection part for communication with another IO-Link master (20-j). In addition, the Ethernet port (23) may be a connection part for communication between a higher control unit (PLC) (10) and a control unit (MCU) (24). For example, the Ethernet port (23) may transmit a signal to another IO-Link master (20-j) that is connected under the control of the control unit (MCU) (24), or may receive a signal transmitted from another IO-Link master (20-j) and transmit it to the control unit (MCU) (24). For another example, the Ethernet port (23) may transmit a signal to a higher control unit (PLC) (10) under the control of the control unit (MCU) (24), or may receive a signal transmitted from a higher control unit (PLC) (10) and transmit it to the control unit (MCU) (24).

[0050] As described above in FIG. 1, the Ethernet port (23) may be a portion that connects a ring-type communication line between a plurality of IO-Link masters (20-a, 20-b, 20-c, 20-n). According to an embodiment, the IO-Link master (20-j) may include a first Ethernet port (23-a) and a second Ethernet port (23-b). Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, in the first IO-Link master (20-a), the first Ethernet port (23-a) may be a transmission / reception device for communication with a higher level control unit (PLC) (10), and the second Ethernet port (23-b) may be a transmission / reception device for communication with the second IO-Link master (20-b). However, it is not limited thereto, and the IO-Link master (20-j) can be configured to communicate with multiple IO-Link masters (20-j) or upper control unit (PLC) (10) through one Ethernet port (23).

[0051] The control unit (24) may be a sub-control unit that controls the Io-link device (30) according to a control signal transmitted by the upper control unit (PLC) (10). For example, the control unit (24) may be configured as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit). On the other hand, the upper control unit (PLC) (10) may be a main control unit and may be a final control device used for maintenance, management, automatic control, and monitoring of an industrial plant. For example, when the upper control unit (PLC) (10) generates a predetermined control signal (e.g., reduce the pressure to below the 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 the reference value) and transmits the generated control signal to the control unit (24), the control unit (24) may control the Io-link device (30) according to the control signal.

[0052] 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 function of the io-link master (20-j). Each of the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) may control bidirectional data transmission and reception between the io-link device (30) connected through the io port (21) for which each is responsible and the upper control unit (PLC) (10). Then, by configuring each of the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) to be connected to an io-link device (30) that uses a different communication protocol, it is expected that the type of io-link device (30) that can communicate with the io-link master (20-j) will be expanded.

[0053] The first control unit (24-a) can receive data from the first to fourth Io-link devices, for example, through the first transceiver (22-a) and the second transceiver (22-b), and control the first to fourth Io-link devices according to a control signal from the upper control unit (PLC) (10).

[0054] 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 a first IO port (21-a) and a 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 a third IO port (21-c) and a fourth IO port (21-d), and transmit the received data to the first control unit (24-a). When the upper 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.

[0055] The second control unit (24-b) can receive data from the fifth to eighth Io-link devices, for example, through the third transceiver (22-c) and the fourth transceiver (22-d), and control the fifth to eighth Io-link devices according to a control signal from the upper control unit (PLC) (10).

[0056] Specifically, the third transceiver (22-c) can receive data from the fifth IO-link device (not shown) and the 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 the seventh IO-link device (not shown) and the 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 upper 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.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) can diagnose the health of each other by performing mutual communication at regular intervals. For example, the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) can each transmit and receive a heartbeat, which is a signal sent to check the status at regular intervals, and can diagnose the failure status of the other party based on whether there is a change in the received data. As another example, if the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) are unable to communicate for a period exceeding a predetermined reference time (for example, if a communication message is not received), the other party can diagnose the failure status.

[0058] When the first control unit (24-a) or the second control unit (24-b) diagnoses a failure event of the other party, an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event can be transmitted to the upper control unit (PLC) (10). Then, the upper control unit (PLC) (10) can immediately proceed with subsequent processing corresponding to the failure event. In addition, the operation of the Io-Link device (30) connected to the first control unit (24-a) or the second control unit (24-b) that is not in a failure state may not be interrupted. Therefore, according to one embodiment, the problem 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) may not occur.

[0059]

[0060] FIG. 3 is a drawing detailing the configuration of the Io-Link master of FIG. 1 according to another embodiment.

[0061] Since most of the configurations and roles of the IO port (21), transceiver (22), and Ethernet port (23) illustrated in FIG. 3 are the same as those illustrated in FIG. 2, the description of the IO port (21), transceiver (22), and Ethernet port (23) illustrated in FIG. 3 is replaced with the description of FIG. 2.

[0062] According to another embodiment, referring to FIG. 3, the IO-Link master (20-j) includes a master control unit (21-a) performing a master role and a slave control unit (21-b) performing a slave role. For example, referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h) may be connected in parallel to the master control unit (24-a) and the slave control unit (24-b). That is, the master control unit (21-a) and the slave control unit (24-b) may both have the same accessibility to the plurality of IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h) and may be control units performing the same function.

[0063] In Fig. 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 Fig. 3, according to another embodiment, the master control unit (24-a) performs all the functions of the IO-Link master (20-j), and when a failure event occurs in the master control unit (24-a), there is a difference in that the slave control unit (24-b) performs the role of the master control unit (24-a).

[0064] Specifically, referring to FIG. 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 FIG. 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, 22-d).

[0065] In the normal mode in which the master control unit (24-a) normally performs the preset operation, the master control unit (24-a) can control the bidirectional data transmission and reception between a plurality of IO-Link devices connected through a plurality of IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h) and the upper control unit (PLC) (10). In the event mode in which a failure event occurs in the master control unit (24-a), the slave control unit (24-b) can perform all of the roles of the master control unit (24-a). Therefore, according to another embodiment, even if the master control unit (21-a) is in a failure state, all IO-Link devices (30) connected to the IO-Link master (20-j) can be normally operated by the slave control unit (24-b).

[0066] The slave control unit (24-b) can diagnose the health of the master control unit (24-a) by performing mutual communication with the master control unit (24-a) at regular intervals. For example, the slave control unit (24-b) can transmit a heartbeat, which is a signal sent to check the status at regular intervals, to the master control unit (24-a), and can diagnose the failure status of the master control unit (24-a) based on whether there is a change in the data received from the master control unit (24-a). For another example, if the master control unit (24-a) cannot communicate for a period exceeding a predetermined reference time (for example, if a communication message is not received), the slave control unit (24-b) can diagnose the failure status of the master control unit (24-a).

[0067] When the slave control unit (24-b) diagnoses a failure event of the master control unit (24-a), it can transmit an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the upper control unit (PLC) (10). Then, the upper control unit (PLC) (10) can immediately proceed with subsequent processing corresponding to the failure event. In addition, a plurality of IO-link devices (30) connected through a plurality of IO ports (21-a, 21-b, 21-c, 21-d, 21-e, 21-f, 21-g, 21-h) can be operated normally as before under the control of the slave control unit (24-b).

[0068]

[0069] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of operating a dual MCU according to one embodiment.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 4, the first control unit (24-a) controls the first Io-link device according to the first control signal of the upper 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 upper control unit (PLC) (10) to drive the Io-link master (S100).

[0071] Referring to FIG. 2, each of the first control unit (21-a) and the second control unit (21-b) can control bidirectional data transmission and reception between the IO-link device (30) connected through the IO port (21) for which each is responsible and the upper control unit (PLC) (10).

[0072] The first control unit (24-a) can receive data from the first to fourth IO-link devices through, for example, the first transceiver (22-a) and the second transceiver (22-b), and control the first to fourth IO-link devices according to a control signal of the upper control unit (PLC) (10). The second control unit (24-b) can receive data from the fifth to eighth IO-link devices through, for example, the third transceiver (22-c) and the fourth transceiver (22-d), and control the fifth to eighth IO-link devices according to a control signal of the upper control unit (PLC) (10).

[0073] 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).

[0074] For example, the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) can each transmit and receive a heartbeat, which is a signal sent to check the status at regular intervals, and can diagnose the other party's failure status based on whether or not there is a change in the received data. As another example, if the first control unit (24-a) and the second control unit (24-b) are unable to communicate for a period exceeding a predetermined reference time (for example, if a communication message is not received), the other party can diagnose the failure status.

[0075] Next, when 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) in which the failure event did not occur transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the failure event to the upper control unit (PLC) (10) (S400).

[0076] Then, the upper control unit (PLC) (10) can immediately proceed with subsequent processing corresponding to the failure event. In addition, the operation of the Io-Link device (30) connected to the first control unit (24-a) or the second control unit (24-b) that is not in a failure state may not be interrupted. Therefore, according to one embodiment, the problem 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) may not occur.

[0077] Next, if a failure event does not occur in the first control unit (24-a) or the second control unit (24-b) (S300, No), the process proceeds to step S200.

[0078] Although the 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 a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A first control unit that transmits first data collected by the first IO-link device to a higher control unit and controls the first IO-link device according to a first control signal of the higher control unit, and A second control unit that transmits second data collected by the second io-link device to the upper control unit and controls the second io-link device according to a second control signal from the upper control unit, Each of the first control unit and the second control unit, An IO-Link master that communicates at regular intervals to diagnose the occurrence of failure events on the other side.

2. In paragraph 1, Each of the first control unit and the second control unit, The IO-Link Master diagnoses that the above fault event has occurred when no communication message is received for a reference time period or longer.

3. In paragraph 1, Each of the first control unit and the second control unit, An io-link master that, when diagnosing the occurrence of the above fault event, transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the above fault event to the upper control unit.

4. In paragraph 1, The above first io-link device, Transmitting the first data to the first transceiver using the first communication method, The above second io-link device, An IO-Link master that transmits said second data to said second transceiver by a second communication method.

5. In paragraph 1, A first transceiver connected to the first IO-link device through the first IO port, receiving the first data, and transmitting the received first data to the first control unit; and An io-link master further comprising a first transceiver connected to the second io-link device through a second io port, receiving the second data, and transmitting the received second data to the second control unit.

6. A master control unit that transmits data collected by the io-link device to a higher control unit and controls the io-link device according to a control signal from the higher control unit, and An io-link master including a slave control unit that performs the role performed by the master control unit by communicating with the master control unit at a predetermined cycle and diagnosing the occurrence of a failure event of the master control unit.

7. In paragraph 6, The above slave control unit, An io-link master that diagnoses that a fault event has occurred in the master control unit if no communication message is received from the master control unit for a reference time period or longer.

8. In paragraph 6, The above slave control unit, An io-link master that, when diagnosing the occurrence of the above fault event, transmits an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the above fault event to the upper control unit.

9. A step of driving the io-link master by controlling the first io-link device according to the first control signal of the upper control unit and the second control unit controlling the second io-link device according to the second control signal of the upper control unit. When a predetermined period arrives, the first control unit and the second control unit diagnose the occurrence of a failure event of the other party, and A method for operating a dual control unit, comprising the step of: if the above diagnosis result indicates that the above fault event has occurred, transmitting an alarm message corresponding to the occurrence of the other fault event to the upper control unit by the first control unit or the second control unit.

10. In paragraph 9, The step of diagnosing the occurrence of the above counterparty's failure event is: A method of operating a dual control unit, wherein the occurrence of the above fault event is diagnosed when no communication message is received for a reference time period or longer.

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