Programming Device for Control Node Network Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional decentralized control systems in industrial automation require significant efforts to adapt control-relevant contents and hardware when product or manufacturing processes change, limiting flexibility and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A programming device for a network of control nodes that determines and configures communication relations between control nodes using a system object model, allowing for flexible system management and adaptation to changing production processes by converting system, product, and process descriptions into standardized object models and transmitting these configurations to control nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional decentralized control systems are used with specific product configurations, then control functionality is achieved, but adaptation efforts increase significantly when product or manufacturing process changes occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of control configuration from fixed hardware-specific settings to flexible software-based object models that can be adapted through parameter modification. The system object module stores control logic as configurable parameters that can be changed without altering the underlying control node hardware, enabling easy adaptation to product changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses object models as virtual copies of control node configurations. These object models can be replicated, modified, and transferred between different control nodes and products, allowing the same control logic to be reused across multiple applications with minimal adaptation effort.
2Productivity
If control nodes are configured specifically for each product, then optimal control performance is achieved, but reprogramming efforts increase when manufacturing processes change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration by creating standardized object models that encapsulate control logic before actual production. These pre-configured object models can be quickly deployed to control nodes when manufacturing processes change, eliminating the need for time-consuming reprogramming and maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The object models serve multiple functions across different products and manufacturing processes. A single object model can be adapted to control various control nodes and applied to different product configurations, reducing reconfiguration time and maintaining manufacturing efficiency across diverse applications.
3Ease of operation
If decentralized control architecture is implemented, then communication efforts are reduced, but system flexibility decreases when adaptation is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces object models as an intermediary layer between the decentralized control nodes and the manufacturing process requirements. This intermediary enables easy configuration and adaptation of control behavior without affecting the underlying decentralized communication architecture, maintaining both ease of operation and adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
A programming device for a network of control nodes includes a recording module for determining the control nodes connected to the network and a system object module connected to the recording module. The system object module includes a system object model representing the control-node configuration of the network, the system object module being configured to define the communication relations between the determined control nodes on the basis of the system object model. The programming device further includes a configuration output module connected to the system object module for transmitting the communication relations between the control nodes in the network to the control nodes, the communication relations being determined by the system object module.