Actuating Drive Continuous Logging for Modular Error Diagnosis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container handling machines face complex error diagnosis issues due to the modular design of actuators, making it difficult to identify and repair defects once the actuator is removed from the machine.

Innovation Solution

The actuator system continuously logs operating parameters and error data, allowing for real-time error diagnosis and remote troubleshooting via an external bus system, enabling quick fault identification and repair even when the actuator is still on the machine, and facilitating simplified diagnosis and replacement in a repair shop.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the actuator is designed as a modular unit for easy replacement, then the ease of repair is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of repairVSAvoiddifficulty of detecting and measuring
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The actuator continuously logs operating parameters and error data in advance before removal. This preliminary recording of diagnostic information allows repair technicians to access detailed error histories and operational data without needing to perform complex diagnostics on the removed actuator, thus resolving the contradiction between easy replacement and difficult error detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the actuator is removed from the machine for repair, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Error data and operating parameters are logged continuously before actuator removal. This allows preliminary diagnosis to be performed while the actuator is still installed, enabling repair planning and preparation before the actual removal and replacement occurs, thereby reducing the downtime associated with actuator failures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The logged error data provides feedback about the actuator's operational state and failure modes. This feedback enables remote diagnostics and prepares repair technicians with specific error information, allowing them to perform repairs more efficiently and reduce the time the actuator needs to be removed and replaced.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If detailed error data is stored continuously, then the measurement precision is improved, but the loss of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system logs detailed operating parameters and error data continuously, which provides high measurement precision for diagnostics. However, the logging can be selectively activated or deactivated based on operational conditions, allowing partial logging when full precision is not needed, thus balancing measurement precision with energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2029441B2Actuating drive
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 KHS GMBH
  • EP2029441B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2029441B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

In an actuating drive (8) for use in apparatuses or machines for treating bottles, cans and containers (2) of this type, having a drive element (9), having control and/or monitoring electronics (10) and having a sensor system (11, 12) for detecting operating states of the actuating drive (8), the control and/or monitoring electronics (10) have at least one memory (17), in which operating parameters which are detected by the sensor system and/or any faults or disruptions which occur during operation of the actuating drive are stored constantly.