Control System Power Shutdown via Mode Control and Stop Sections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control systems face issues where power cannot be turned off due to synchronization problems during reset events, leading to unstable operation modes and failed transitions into low-power-consumption states.

Innovation Solution

A control system comprising a first and second control unit, each equipped with a stop control section for transitioning into a low-power-consumption state upon satisfying predetermined operation mode conditions, and a mode control section that manages unstable restoration states by allowing transition into operation modes when specific conditions are met, with a time-out process to ensure transition into low-power mode if the unstable state persists.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If control units synchronize their timing for turning off power to prevent erroneous detection of communication abnormalities, then communication reliability is improved, but the system cannot respond properly to reset events causing power to remain on

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidpower shutdown capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mode control section prepares the system by defining an operation mode in advance before reset events occur. This preliminary definition allows the stop control section to properly execute power shutdown commands even after resets, as the mode framework is already established and can guide post-reset behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mode control section continuously monitors the operation mode status and provides feedback to the stop control section. This feedback mechanism ensures that the stop control section can detect when the mode is properly defined and proceed with power shutdown, or when reset events occur and needs to wait for mode redefinition, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining communication reliability and enabling proper power shutdown.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the system maintains synchronized power shutdown procedures, then communication abnormality detection accuracy is improved, but system adaptability to reset events deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication abnormality detection accuracyVSAvoidsystem adaptability to reset events
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The operation mode is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The mode control section can redefine the operation mode based on system state, particularly after reset events. This dynamic characteristic allows the system to maintain synchronized power shutdown procedures for accurate communication abnormality detection while simultaneously adapting to reset events by redefining modes as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If control units follow synchronized shutdown protocols, then power management stability is improved, but the system cannot transition to low-power state after reset

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management stabilityVSAvoidtransition to low-power state
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mode control section establishes the operation mode framework in advance, creating a stable foundation for power management. This preliminary action ensures that even after reset events disrupt the synchronized shutdown protocol, the system can rely on the pre-established mode definition to guide the transition to low-power state, thus maintaining both stability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2911909B1Control system
Publication Date: 2019.12.11 FUJITSU TEN LTD
  • EP2911909B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2911909B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2911909B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object is to avoid the situation in which the power cannot be turned off. As a solution, a control system is provided according to the present invention in which a first control unit and a second control unit are connected to each other. At least one of the first control unit and the second control unit includes: a stop control section for, if a condition for ending a predetermined operation mode is satisfied in that operation mode, performing stop control for having the control system in a low-power-consumption state while communicating with the other control unit; and a mode control section for having a mode undefined state in which the operation mode is instable at restoration from a reset state and for allowing, if a predetermined transition condition for allowing transition into the operation mode is satisfied in the mode undefined state, transition into the operation mode whose transition condition has been satisfied. The stop control section performs the stop control also when the mode undefined state has continued for a predetermined period.