Industrial Controller Wireless Program Update via Temporary Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating control programs in industrial machines require cumbersome wiring operations, increasing work quantity and making it difficult to easily update or set control programs, especially when multiple controllers need to be connected to a network.
Innovation Solution
A controller with a connection terminal for wireless communication, including a control program storage unit, detection unit, control program acquiring unit, storage executing unit, and operation changing unit, which allows for wireless acquisition and updating of control programs via a wireless communication device, reducing the need for physical transportation and wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If control programs are updated via wired network connections, then reliable program transfer is achieved, but wiring operations increase work quantity and reduce ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The wireless communication device establishes temporary wireless connections to transfer control programs, eliminating the need for physical wiring operations while maintaining reliable data transfer capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication device acts as an intermediary between the control program source and the controller. It receives control programs wirelessly and transfers them to the controller, mediating the program update process without requiring direct wired connections between all components.
2Productivity
If multiple controllers are connected to the network via wires, then network communication is established, but the number of wiring operations increases work quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical wired connections with wireless communication for all controllers. Multiple controllers can be updated sequentially or simultaneously through wireless connections, eliminating the time-consuming wiring operations required for each controller while maintaining network communication capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control programs are pre-installed during manufacturing, then initial operation is enabled, but updates require transportation and connection of storage media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of transporting and connecting physical storage media with wireless communication. Control programs can be downloaded and installed remotely through wireless connections, providing both update flexibility and ease of installation without physical media handling.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has an object of providing a controller, a program, and a wireless communication device that can perform update or a setting operation of software more easily. A controller includes: a control program storage unit that stores a control program for controlling an operation of an industrial machine; a detection unit that detects a wireless communication device connected to a connection terminal; a control program acquiring unit that acquires a control program for storing in the control program storage unit via the wireless communication device; a storage executing unit that executes storing of an acquired control program in the control program storage unit; and an operation changing unit that allows the control program acquiring unit and the storage executing unit to be operated on a basis of detection of the wireless communication device.