Actuator Control Device Power Management via Connection Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing actuator control devices lack a mechanism to prevent wasteful connection of controller units while ensuring total power consumption remains within a maximum permissible value, leading to redundant units and potential power inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

An actuator control device with a connection confirmation unit and determination unit that verifies the connection state of controller units, preventing wasteful connections by ensuring the total power consumption does not exceed the maximum allowable value, and allowing for accurate assessment of power usage through expected and actual power consumption calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple controller units are connected to actuators, then the control capability and functionality are improved, but the total power consumption increases and may exceed the maximum permissible value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidtotal power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines whether to supply power to controller units based on real-time connection states and power consumption calculations. The power supply is not static but adapts to the actual number of connected controller units and their operational status, allowing the system to optimize power distribution according to actual needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The determination unit receives feedback about the connection state of controller units from the connection confirmation unit, and based on this feedback, decides whether to allow power supply. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that power consumption remains within permissible limits while maximizing the utilization of connected controller units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If a fixed number of controller units are connected to ensure power consumption limits are met, then power management is simplified, but unused controller units become redundant and waste resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower managementVSAvoidredundant unit waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The connection confirmation unit performs preliminary detection of the connection state before the determination unit makes the power supply decision. This preliminary action allows the system to accurately assess which controller units are actually connected and need power, preventing both power waste and redundant unit waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects connection states and determines power supply eligibility without requiring manual configuration or estimation. The controller units themselves provide connection status information that the determination unit uses to make autonomous power supply decisions, eliminating the need for conservative fixed-number allocations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the connection state is not verified before power supply, then the system operation is simplified, but power consumption may exceed the maximum permissible value

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operationVSAvoidpower consumption limit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The determination unit acts as an intermediary between the connection confirmation unit and the power supply system. It receives connection state information, evaluates whether power supply is permissible based on power consumption limits, and then controls the power supply accordingly. This intermediary layer maintains operational simplicity while ensuring power limits are not exceeded.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Use of energy by moving object

If connection confirmation and determination mechanisms are added, then power consumption control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption controlVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection confirmation unit and determination unit are integrated into a unified power management system that works together to control power supply. Rather than being separate independent systems, these functions are combined to achieve efficient power management with minimal additional complexity. The merging of these functions allows the system to make intelligent power supply decisions based on actual connection states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11569774B2Actuator control device

Publication Date: 2023.01.31 SMC CORP

AI summary

An actuator control device supplies electrical power to a plurality of actuators via a plurality of controller units consecutively disposed and connected in one direction. A power supply unit or an input/output and power supply unit is interposed between each arbitrary number of controller units from within the plurality of controller units. In a case that the power supply unit is interposed, the power supply unit supplies electrical power to the block connected on a downstream side in a connecting direction. In a case that the input/output and power supply unit is interposed, the input/output and power supply unit performs input and output of signals to and from an exterior and the block that is connected on the downstream side in the connecting direction, while also supplying electrical power to the block.