Control Device with Adjustable Filter and Amplification

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Solution Overview

Problem

PID controllers require complex parameter adjustment and expertise to optimize control parameters, especially in industrial systems where process behavior changes over time, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for frequent re-tuning.

Innovation Solution

A control device with two filter devices and an amplification element that allows for independent adjustment of time and damping behaviors, simplifying parameterization by using a dynamic factor and damping factor to target specific control loop behaviors, enabling easier adaptation to changing process conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional PID controllers are used with complex parameter adjustment, then control precision can be improved, but the complexity of parameter optimization increases and requires specialized expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoidparameter optimization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the complex PID parameter optimization problem into a simpler two-parameter adjustment system using a lead-lag network with adjustable time constants. Instead of optimizing multiple PID parameters (Kp, Ki, Kd) separately, the system uses a single lead time constant and a single lag time constant that can be adjusted independently to achieve desired control characteristics, significantly reducing the complexity of parameter optimization while maintaining control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If control parameters are optimized for specific process conditions, then control performance is improved, but re-parameterization requires considerable time and expertise when process behavior changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol performanceVSAvoidre-parameterization time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptability by designing a control system where the lead-lag network parameters can be easily adjusted in response to changing process conditions. The system allows operators to modify the lead and lag time constants without requiring deep expertise in control theory, enabling quick adaptation to process changes such as raw material variations or machine performance degradation, thus maintaining reliable control performance with minimal re-parameterization time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If multiple control parameters are adjusted independently, then control behavior can be precisely tuned, but the ease of operation decreases due to requiring specialized knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter adjustment easeVSAvoidcontrol behavior precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control parameter adjustment into two independent, easily manageable components: a lead time constant and a lag time constant. Each parameter controls a specific aspect of the control response independently, allowing operators to adjust them separately without needing to understand complex interactions between multiple PID parameters. This segmentation maintains precise control behavior tuning capability while significantly improving ease of operation for personnel with limited control expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3507656B1Control device with adjustable control behavior
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 KHD HUMBOLDT WEDAG GMBH
  • EP3507656B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3507656B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3507656B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a control device (1) for controlling a technical process (2), having at least two devices for detecting a respective input signal and at least one device for outputting a manipulated variable (u), said output device internally forming a difference between a reference variable (w), as the first input signal, and a controlled variable (y), as the second input signal, and ascertaining a manipulated variable (u) therefrom. The control device additionally has at least one internal signal processing system for influencing the time response and the damping behavior of the control loop formed by the combination of the control device (1) and the technical process (2). According to the invention, at least two filter devices are provided for processing a signal, wherein a first filter device (4) interacts with the process (2) such that the time response of the control loop formed by the combination of the control device (1) and the technical process (2) can be influenced by a change in the property of the filter device (4), and at least one amplification element (5) is provided which interacts with the process (2) such that the damping behavior of the control loop formed by the control device (1) and the process (2) can be influenced by a change in the amplification factor of the application element (5) and such that a second filter device (7) and the I element (6) can be activated individually.