Central Control Device Protocol Translation for Work Machine Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacture work machines require significant procedural changes and increased costs when replacing work-element performing apparatuses due to differences in programming languages and communication protocols, which hinders the efficiency and practical utility of these machines.
Innovation Solution
A manufacture work machine configuration where a central control device transmits motion commands in a specific programming language using a unified protocol, allowing individual control devices to convert these commands into compatible formats, eliminating the need for changes in the central control device's program or protocol when replacing work-element performing apparatuses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a central control device uses a unified protocol and specific programming language to transmit motion commands to individual control devices, then the adaptability of the manufacture work machine to different work-element performing apparatuses is improved, but the complexity of the communication system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central control device is designed with a universal communication interface that can transmit motion commands using a standardized protocol and programming language to multiple types of work-element performing apparatuses. This allows the same control device to interface with different apparatuses (conveyors, robots, processing machines) without requiring apparatus-specific communication protocols, thereby achieving universality and improved adaptability while managing complexity through standardization.
2Ease of operation
If individual control devices convert received motion commands into their native programming languages, then the ease of operation for replacing work-element performing apparatuses is improved, but the processing complexity at the individual control device level increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each individual control device is equipped with the capability to autonomously convert received standardized motion commands into its native programming language or control format. This self-service conversion mechanism eliminates the need for external intervention or reconfiguration when replacing work-element performing apparatuses, thereby improving ease of operation. The conversion complexity is distributed to the individual control devices rather than centralized, allowing each device to handle its own translation needs independently.
3Productivity
If the central control device transmits motion commands in a standardized format to all work-element performing apparatuses, then the productivity of apparatus replacement is improved, but the loss of information regarding apparatus-specific requirements increases
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized motion command protocol acts as an intermediary language between the central control device and diverse work-element performing apparatuses. This intermediate standardized format enables efficient communication and rapid apparatus replacement while preserving apparatus-specific information through the conversion capability of individual control devices, which translate the standardized commands into apparatus-specific control instructions, thus preventing information loss.
Data Source
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AI summary
It is an object to enhance practical utility of a manufacture work machine configured to perform a manufacture work by a plurality of work-element performing apparatuses. In the manufacture work machine including the plurality of work-element performing apparatuses which are controlled by a central control device 130, 136, each of the plurality of work-element performing apparatuses has an individual control device 90, etc., configured to control an operation of the corresponding work-element performing apparatus on the basis of a motion command transmitted from the central control device. The central control device is configured to transmit (174), according to one protocol, a motion command in a specific programming language to the individual control device, and the individual control device is configured to receive, according to the one protocol, the motion command and to convert (212) the received motion command into a motion command in a programming language that the individual control device uses. In this structure, even if the work-element performing apparatus is replaced depending upon purposes, it is not necessary to change a program, a communication program, etc., of the central control device, making it possible to enhance practical utility of the manufacture work machine.