Bistable Display Dial Synchronization for Motor Overload Relay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial control systems with both local and remote HMIs face challenges in maintaining consistent settings between local and remote parameter adjustments without increasing complexity, particularly in motor overload relays, where traditional dials become inadequate when remote changes are made.
Innovation Solution
A bistable display substrate with a dial and position detector at the local HMI, coupled with a network interface and controller, allows manual alignment and synchronization of parameter values with remote adjustments, using a correlation table to ensure consistency without adding significant complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional dial is used at the local HMI, then the parameter can be easily set locally, but the setting becomes inconsistent with the remote HMI after remote changes are made
Solution Approach 1:
The local HMI continuously receives feedback from the remote HMI about current parameter settings. When the remote HMI changes a parameter, the local HMI is notified and updates its display accordingly, ensuring both interfaces show consistent information without requiring manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial at the local HMI is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be manually rotated to change parameters locally, and it automatically responds to remote changes by updating its indicator position. This multi-functionality allows the same component to handle both local and remote control scenarios.
2Reliability
If the local HMI is motorized to adjust for remote parameter changes, then setting consistency is maintained, but cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a motorized system to physically adjust the dial, the invention uses an electronic display system that can change its visual output. The dial indicator is replaced or supplemented with an electronic display that can be updated remotely without mechanical movement, eliminating motors and associated complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The local HMI creates a visual copy or representation of the remote parameter settings on its display. Rather than physically adjusting components to match remote settings, the local interface displays equivalent information electronically, maintaining consistency through information replication rather than mechanical adjustment.
3Reliability
If an interactive electronic display replaces the dial, then parameter consistency with remote HMI is maintained, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the traditional dial interface with electronic display capabilities into a hybrid system. The physical dial remains for local manual adjustment, while an electronic display component is added to show parameter values and receive remote updates, combining the benefits of both approaches without fully replacing the cost-effective dial mechanism.
4Reliability
If an interactive electronic display is used at the local HMI, then parameter consistency is maintained, but power consumption increases during installation
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic display operates in a periodic or intermittent manner rather than continuously. It activates only when needed to display updated parameter values from the remote HMI or to confirm local adjustments, then enters a low-power state. This periodic operation maintains information consistency while significantly reducing overall power consumption compared to continuous display operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables consistent settings between local and remote HMIs, allowing for accurate and manual parameter adjustments while maintaining system simplicity, ensuring accurate local displays even after remote changes.
Implementation Method 1
The bistable display substrate may render the displayed characters, for example, in an electronic ink or a cholesteric liquid crystal display, without power being applied to the bistable display substrate.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
AI summary
The invention provides consistent settings between local and remote parameter adjustments of both local and remote HMI. A dial (4) is superimposed on a bistable display substrate (2), having an indicator (7) configured to be manually aligned with a displayed character representing a manual setting of a parameter value for controlling local equipment. A network interface (18) is connected over a communications network (17) to a remote HMI (16), configured to receive a new parameter value for controlling the local equipment (25). A controller (14) samples the current position of the indicator (7) of the dial (4), and provides a control input signal (20) to the bistable display substrate (2) to control a display of the new parameter value in the current position of the indicator (7) of the dial (4) and to provide the new parameter value to the local equipment (25).