Circular Safety Test Arrangement with Bus Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test arrangements for measuring dangerous test objects, such as current transformers, are inflexible and do not allow users to integrate additional components or transmit diagnostic information, due to fixed safety fieldbus configurations.
Innovation Solution
A circular test arrangement is formed by connecting the signal inputs and outputs of safety components in a ring configuration, allowing for cyclic function tests and the transmission of data packets with bus verification, ready, and activation signals, enabling flexible integration of components and diagnostic communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a safety field bus with fixed configuration is used to connect safety components, then high safety standards for communication are achieved, but the ability to integrate additional components or transmit diagnostic information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates communication into two distinct layers: a fixed safety field bus for safety-critical communication and a separate data bus for diagnostic and additional information transmission. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the safety bus maintains high reliability while the data bus provides versatility for component integration and diagnostic capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
A gateway component acts as an intermediary between the safety field bus and the data bus, translating and forwarding messages between the two systems. This mediator enables diagnostic information and additional components to be integrated through the data bus while maintaining the integrity and safety standards of the original safety field bus.
2Reliability
If safety components are fixed to one another in a rigid configuration, then safety standards are maintained, but the effort involved in cabling and detecting errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces on both the safety field bus and data bus, allowing the same physical infrastructure to serve multiple functions - safety communication, diagnostic data transmission, and component control. This universality reduces cabling complexity while maintaining safety standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The data bus provides continuous feedback mechanisms for monitoring the status of safety components and detecting cabling errors. This feedback system enables real-time detection of issues such as cable breaks or short circuits, simplifying error detection compared to traditional methods while maintaining safety integrity.
3Reliability
If discrete signals are used in the safety circuit, then safety communication is achieved, but the transmission of additional diagnostic information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a second communication dimension by introducing a data bus parallel to the safety field bus. While the safety field bus handles safety-critical discrete signals, the data bus provides an additional dimension for transmitting diagnostic information, status data, and configuration parameters without interfering with safety communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges two communication systems - the safety field bus for safety-critical communication and the data bus for diagnostic information - into a unified test arrangement. This combination allows both safety communication and diagnostic information transmission to coexist, with the gateway coordinating between the two systems to prevent interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible test arrangement for performing measurements on a test object. A plurality of safety components, each having a safety module which can be set to active or inactive, and having a ready status which can be set to active or inactive, is provided in a circular test arrangement. Each of the safety components carries out a number of function tests cyclically. As one of the function tests, a cyclical, error-free reception of a data packet is tested. One of the safety components is selected as a bus master which cyclically transmits a bus verification signal in a data packet to the safety component which is adjacent in the direction of transmission, wherein the bus verification signal is relayed by each of the safety components in a data packet, and, when said bus verification signal is received in a data packet, the bus master determines that the circular test arrangement is closed.