Data Collector for Intelligent Electronic Device Configuration Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

In medium and high-voltage electrical equipment, intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) often undergo configuration changes and component replacements, making it difficult for manufacturers to track their installation locations and configurations, especially in industrial environments where communication is subject to strict safety regulations, leading to challenges in monitoring and maintaining these devices.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a data acquisition system with a configuration device connected between a data collector and a storage device, allowing for the efficient transmission and storage of production and product data from IEDs, enabling continuous tracking of configuration changes and component installations without requiring permanent data transmission paths, and ensuring data security through separate transmission paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data transmission paths are permanently established for continuous monitoring of intelligent electronic devices, then monitoring reliability is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemonitoring reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic data transmission paths that are established temporarily when needed for data collection and then closed. The system transitions from static permanent connections to dynamic on-demand connections, allowing the data transmission path to be opened and closed based on monitoring requirements rather than being permanently established.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the data transmission function from permanent infrastructure and implements it as a temporary, on-demand connection through the data collector device. This allows monitoring capability to be separated from permanent installation requirements, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability when monitoring is needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If data transmission paths are separated into multiple segments for security, then data security is improved, but transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata securityVSAvoidtransmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transmission path into multiple independent sections: the data collector device, the intermediate transmission path, and the central system. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently secured and managed, improving overall data security while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The data collector device serves as an intermediary between the intelligent electronic device and the central system. This intermediate component secures the transmission path by acting as a controlled access point, allowing data to be collected and transmitted only when needed, thereby enhancing security without requiring complex permanent infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If configuration changes are tracked continuously, then configuration accuracy is improved, but loss of time for data management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoiddata management time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic feedback mechanisms where the data collector device continuously monitors and automatically updates configuration information without requiring manual intervention. This feedback loop ensures configuration accuracy is maintained while eliminating the time loss associated with manual data management and tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service configuration tracking where the intelligent electronic device and data collector automatically exchange and record configuration changes without external management intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains precise configuration records while eliminating manual data management time requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2054782B1Data recording apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP2054782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2054782B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2054782B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Data recording apparatus and method for transmitting production and product data from an electronic device. The invention provides a data recording apparatus (100) for recording production and product data (501a-501n) which are output from at least one electronic device (101a-101n). A data collector device (102a-102n) associated with the electronic device (101a-101n) records the production and product data (501a-501n) and converts them into transmission data (502a-502n) to be transmitted which are then stored in a memory device (200). A configuration device (300) connected between the data collector device (102a-102n) and the memory device (200) controls the storage of the transmission data (502a-502n).