Daisy-Chain Industrial Communication with Dynamic Setting Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial communication systems face inefficiencies when industrial instruments with different communication settings are used, leading to communication disruptions and difficulties in maintaining consistent settings across connected devices.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a configuration where servo amplifiers and slave instruments store and manage communication settings, allowing for the dynamic adjustment of communication speeds and codes, and include separate communication circuits for active and standby modes to ensure compatibility and efficiency, even when different settings are used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different communication settings are used in industrial instruments, then each instrument can operate with its own optimized settings, but communication efficiency deteriorates and disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication settings flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

A master instrument is introduced as an intermediary to manage communication settings. The master instrument transmits setting information to slave instruments, enabling coordination between instruments with different native settings. This mediator approach allows the system to maintain flexibility in individual instrument configurations while achieving unified communication through the master's coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes communication parameters by having the master instrument transmit setting information (such as communication speed and code) to slave instruments. This parameter adjustment allows slave instruments to adapt their communication behavior based on the master's settings, resolving the conflict between individual setting optimization and overall communication efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If communication settings are dynamically adjusted, then communication efficiency improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple reception circuits and storage units

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system is segmented into master and slave instruments with distinct functional roles. The master instrument handles setting management and coordination, while slave instruments focus on receiving and executing settings. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple components rather than requiring every instrument to have full capability, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The master instrument serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication node, a settings manager, and a coordinator for the entire daisy-chain network. By concentrating multiple functions in the master instrument, the system avoids duplicating complex functionality in each slave instrument, thereby reducing individual device complexity while achieving dynamic setting adjustment system-wide.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If identical communication settings are enforced across all instruments, then communication reliability improves, but adaptability to different instrument requirements deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidinstrument-specific setting optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The communication settings are made dynamic rather than static. The master instrument can transmit different setting information to different slave instruments or update settings during operation. This dynamic approach allows the system to maintain reliability through coordinated settings while adapting to different instrument requirements by adjusting settings as needed, rather than being locked into fixed identical configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3460415B1Industrial communication system and industrial communication method
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP3460415B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3460415B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3460415B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An industrial communication system includes a plurality of industrial instruments connected in series to each other. A first industrial instrument among the industrial instruments includes a first storage, a first reception circuit, a second storage, and a second reception circuit. The first storage stores a first communication setting applicable to communication between the industrial instruments. The first reception circuit receives, based on the first communication setting, a signal from a second industrial instrument that is among the industrial instruments and that is connected to the first industrial instrument. The second storage stores a second communication setting that is applicable to the communication between the industrial instruments and that is a predetermined communication setting common to the industrial instruments. The second reception circuit receives, based on the second communication setting, a signal including at least a part of the signal input into the first reception circuit.