Counter Unit Timing Control Beyond Pulse Signal Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing counter units adjust the timing of actuator outputs based on pulse signal cycles, limiting timing precision and user convenience due to fixed cycle lengths, and require target value adjustments when cycle changes occur.
Innovation Solution
A counter unit that adjusts actuator timing using a timing adjustment value independent of pulse signal cycles, allowing precise timing control through a hardware-based logic circuit and feedback mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the timing of actuator output is adjusted by increasing or decreasing the target value compared with actual measurement value, then the timing can be adjusted, but the adjustable timing width cannot be made smaller than the cycle of the pulse signal and a long cycle causes large timing error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timing adjustment value as an intermediary parameter that mediates between the pulse signal cycle and the desired output timing. This timing adjustment value is added to or subtracted from the target value to achieve precise timing control independent of the pulse signal cycle length, thereby resolving the contradiction between timing precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for timing adjustment from the target value alone to a combination of target value and timing adjustment value. By introducing this new parameter dimension, the system can achieve fine-grained timing control without being constrained by the pulse signal cycle, thus improving timing precision without significantly increasing device complexity
2Reliability
If the target value is increased or decreased to maintain the same output timing after pulse signal cycle changes, then the timing can be maintained, but user convenience is reduced due to required target value adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the timing adjustment value is automatically calculated and updated based on changes in pulse signal cycle. This feedback loop maintains timing consistency without requiring manual intervention to adjust the target value, thereby resolving the contradiction between timing reliability and user convenience
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically modifying the timing adjustment value in response to pulse signal cycle changes. This self-service capability eliminates the need for user intervention to maintain timing consistency, thus improving both timing reliability and user convenience simultaneously
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(A)~2(B)
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention regulates the timing of an output to an actuator without relying on a pulse signal cycle. A counter unit (10) executes an output to an actuator (40) at a time point when a waiting time indicated by a timing adjustment value (Ta) received from PLC (20) has elapsed since it was determined that an actual measurement value obtained by using a pulse signal has matched with a target value.