Centralized Power Control for Analytical Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of power supply management increases with the number of analytical devices in a system, making it cumbersome to start or shut down the entire analytical system efficiently, as each device requires independent power supply control in addition to the controller.

Innovation Solution

An analytical device with a communication part to connect with the controller, a power supply control part to switch between power-on and software power-off states, and a valid/invalid switching part to validate or invalidate user instructions based on communication status, allowing centralized power supply management by the controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If each analytical device has an independent power supply control, then each device can be operated independently, but the power supply management of the entire analytical system becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent operation capabilityVSAvoidpower supply management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the power supply control functions of multiple analytical devices into a centralized control system. The controller transmits power supply instructions to all analytical devices through a communication network, allowing unified management of power states across the entire system while maintaining the independence of each device's power supply hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a communication network as an intermediary between the controller and analytical devices. The controller sends power supply instructions (start/shutdown commands) through this intermediary to the analytical devices, enabling centralized control without direct physical connection to each device's power supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the controller manages power supply of all analytical devices, then power supply management is simplified, but individual device independence is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower supply management complexityVSAvoidindependent operation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power supply control into two independent parts: the main power switch for complete power cutoff and the software power-off function for operational control. This segmentation allows the controller to manage operational power states through software while the main power switch remains locally controllable, preserving device independence while enabling centralized management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different control qualities to different power management functions. The main power switch maintains local control capability for complete power cutoff, while the operation part accepts remote control instructions for software power-off. This differentiated approach allows both centralized management and individual device independence to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If a main power switch is disposed inside the analytical device, then device independence is maintained, but power supply management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice independenceVSAvoidpower supply management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the communication network as an intermediary to transmit power supply instructions from the controller to the analytical devices. This intermediary enables the controller to manage the main power switches of multiple devices remotely, reducing management complexity while preserving device independence through the maintained physical presence of main power switches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If power supply instructions are accepted from user operations, then user control is enabled, but erroneous shutdowns may occur during system operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser control capabilityVSAvoidsystem operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the controller monitors the operational state of analytical devices and provides feedback to determine whether power supply instructions should be accepted. When devices are operating normally as part of a system, the controller prevents user-initiated shutdowns. When devices are in error states or independently operated, user control is permitted. This feedback-based control prevents erroneous shutdowns while maintaining user control capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11106259B2Analytical device, controller, and analytical system incorporating a main power switch and power supply instruction part disposed separately from the main power switch

Publication Date: 2021.08.31 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

An analytical device is an analytical device in an analytical system including one or more of the analytical devices and a controller that controls the analytical devices. The analytical device includes a communication part configured to communicate with the controller and a power supply control part configured to switch between a power-on state and a software power-off state of the analytical device by software based on an instruction to switch the analytical device to the power-on state or the software power-off state, the instruction being transmitted from the controller via the communication part.