Automation Module Data Mapping for Flexible Measured Value Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing industrial process automation modules struggle to provide users with a flexible and customizable set of measured values and parameters, as they often have fixed data structures and limited ability to handle a large number of variables, making it difficult for users to select only the necessary data for their specific applications.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of a configuration tool that allows for user-defined data structures and allocation tables, with identifiers for each measured value and parameter, enabling flexible configuration and data selection through a uniform rule, and utilizing OPC UA communication for acyclic data transmission, along with graphic tools for creating conversion rules and assignment tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a module provides a large number of parameters and measured variables, then the quantity of data available to users increases, but the complexity of configuring and selecting the necessary data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of measured valuesVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large set of measured values into multiple measured value data sets, each with a manageable number of parameters. Users can selectively configure and access only the data sets relevant to their specific application, reducing configuration complexity while maintaining access to a comprehensive range of measured values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements pre-configured measured value data sets with standardized structures and identifiers. This preliminary organization allows users to quickly select and configure needed parameters without dealing with the full complexity of all available measured values, thereby reducing configuration effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If fixed data structures are used in automation modules, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different user requirements decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata structure simplicityVSAvoidflexibility of data selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal configuration framework where a single module can serve multiple user needs through configurable measured value data sets. The standardized interface and identifier system allow the same hardware module to adapt to different application requirements by selecting different combinations of parameters and data sets, achieving both simplicity and versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability where users can define custom data structures and select different parameters based on their specific needs. The system allows runtime configuration of measured value data sets, enabling the data structure to adapt to different requirements without changing the underlying hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If all measured values are transmitted cyclically, then the completeness of data provided to users is improved, but the communication load and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of dataVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary measured values from the complete set and transmits them cyclically in user-defined data structures. By allowing users to select and configure only the parameters they need for their specific application, the system reduces communication load and processing time while still providing complete data for those selected parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Quantity of substance

If multiple transport protocols are used to access additional measurement data, then the completeness of data access is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of measurement dataVSAvoidprotocol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the configuration of cyclic and acyclic data access into a unified framework using standardized identifiers and allocation tables. This integration allows users to access all measurement data through a consistent interface, eliminating the need to manage multiple separate protocols and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3534225B1Module for industrial process automation and method for operating and project design
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 SIEMENS AG
  • EP3534225B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3534225B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3534225B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an assembly (20) for industrial process automation for acquiring measured values ​​(UL1, IL1), wherein the measured value data sets (DS1 ,..., DS4) have an identifier (ID) for each measured value (UL1,IL1) and an assignment table (A) for cyclic data and an assignment table (B) for acyclic data are provided, which have a user-defined data structure created by a project engineer via a project planning tool (24).