Electrical Cabinet Module for Automatic Parameter Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical connection cabinets lack efficient methods for transferring and recovering operating parameters and connection information between control units, power units, and electrical loads, particularly during unit replacements, leading to time-consuming and labor-intensive processes.

Innovation Solution

A functional module for electrical connection cabinets is introduced, featuring a communication module, computer bus section, and input-output modules that connect control units to a communication module, allowing for data exchange and storage of operating parameters, type information, and load connections, enabling automated verification and data recovery during unit replacements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control units are replaced manually with programming of operating parameters, then the electrical connection cabinet can maintain operational parameters, but the replacement process becomes time-consuming and requires qualified labor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating parameters preservationVSAvoidreplacement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements memory blocks that automatically store operating parameters, connection information, and configuration data of control units before replacement occurs. This preliminary storage action eliminates the need for manual parameter entry during replacement, reducing replacement time while preserving reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates digital copies of operating parameters and configuration data in memory blocks associated with each control unit. When a control unit is replaced, the stored copy is automatically transferred to the new unit, eliminating manual programming while ensuring parameter accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If control units store operating parameters locally, then each unit can maintain its configuration, but information about connections between power units, central data interface, and electrical loads cannot be recovered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration maintenanceVSAvoidconnection information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple types of information storage into a unified memory block system that simultaneously stores operating parameters, connection information, and configuration data. This integration ensures that all critical information is preserved together during control unit replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces memory blocks as intermediary storage elements between control units and the central data interface. These memory blocks capture and preserve connection information that would otherwise be lost, acting as a bridge that maintains system topology knowledge

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of information

If a centralized data interface is used to transmit parameters, then power unit data can be recovered, but operating parameters of the central data interface itself cannot be recovered upon replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower unit data recoveryVSAvoidcentral data interface configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information storage function into distributed memory blocks associated with each control unit and the central data interface, rather than relying on a single centralized storage system. This segmentation ensures that each component's configuration data is independently preserved

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service capability where the central data interface automatically stores its own operating parameters and configuration data in an associated memory block, enabling automatic recovery upon replacement without requiring external intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If manual programming of control units is performed, then operating parameters can be set, but the process requires qualified labor and reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter configurationVSAvoidreplacement speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the control unit replacement process to be self-service oriented, where the system automatically retrieves, transfers, and applies operating parameters from memory blocks without requiring manual intervention or qualified personnel, thereby dramatically improving replacement speed and productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4064476B1Functional module for electrical connection cabinet, electrical connection cabinet comprising such a module, methods for checking and method for recovering data implemented by such a cabinet
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IND SAS
  • EP4064476B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4064476B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4064476B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A functional module (200) comprises one or more control units (138) connected to a communication module, and a computer bus segment (204) connecting all the units to the communication module. Each unit allows connection to an electrical load and is controlled by the communication module. The functional module includes one or more input/output modules (206), each associated with a unit, allowing the computer bus segment to be connected to a unit and to the electrical load connected to that unit, and enabling data exchange between that unit and the electrical load.The computer bus segment includes memory blocks, each memory block being configured to be associated with a control unit and to store in memory information relating to the type of control unit associated with the memory block and/or operating parameters of the control unit associated with the memory block and/or information on the electrical load connected to said control unit, as well as information about an input/output module.