Actuator Control Apparatus with Simplified Backup Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional actuator control apparatuses are unable to control actuators in the event of a generic failure, such as software or hardware failures, which hinders their operation.

Innovation Solution

An actuator control apparatus is designed with primary and secondary control means, where the secondary control means are simpler, easier to verify for faults, and more resistant to generic failures, allowing for automatic switching in case of primary control failure, and can include FPGA, ASIC, or analog circuits for reduced size and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If primary control means with complex functions is used, then control capability is improved, but fault verification difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidfault verification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into primary control means and secondary control means as separate functional segments. The primary control means handles complex control tasks while the secondary control means provides simplified backup control, allowing fault verification to be performed on distinct modules rather than a monolithic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A secondary control means is created as a simplified copy or alternative implementation of the primary control means. This secondary system replicates essential control functions using simpler components that are easier to verify for faults, providing a verifiable backup without requiring complete duplication of the complex primary system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If secondary control means with simpler components is used, then fault verification ease is improved, but control function completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault verification easeVSAvoidcontrol function completeness

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary control means is designed with local quality appropriate for its backup function - using simpler, easier-to-verify components for the specific control tasks it needs to perform, rather than requiring the full complexity of the primary system. This allows adequate control function for backup purposes while maintaining verification ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If backup control system is added, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS7789345B2Actuator control apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.09.07 NABTESCO CORP

AI summary

Herein disclosed is an actuator control apparatus, comprising primary control means for producing a control signal used to control an operation of an actuator in accordance with an instruction signal indicative of an operation of the actuator, secondary control means for producing a control signal in accordance with the instruction signal; and switching means for selectively switching one of the primary control means and the secondary control means to the other, and in which the secondary control means is less in the number of functions than the primary control means, and each of components constituting the secondary control means is easier in fault verification than a component constituting the primary control means the most difficult in fault verification among all of components constituting the primary control means.