FA Engineering Apparatus Automating PLC HMI Connection Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for FA equipment, such as PLCs and HMIs, require significant user effort to set up apparatus connection information, which is time-consuming and requires restarting engineering tools when system configurations change.

Innovation Solution

An engineering apparatus that automatically generates and updates apparatus connection information by using a system-configuration-data generating unit, component storing unit, component allocating unit, apparatus-connection-information generating unit, and component resolving unit to associate control and screen components with actual device information, reducing the need for manual setup and configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If modularization technology is used for PLC and HMI components, then development efficiency is improved, but apparatus connection information still requires manual setup and configuration changes require restarting engineering tools

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevelopment efficiencyVSAvoidtime for setting apparatus connection information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures apparatus connection information templates associated with each modular component. When a component is selected or instantiated, the corresponding connection information is automatically generated and populated, eliminating the need for manual setup. This preliminary preparation of connection templates resolves the contradiction by making both component reuse and connection setup efficient simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The engineering tool automatically detects component selections and self-generates the corresponding apparatus connection information without requiring user intervention. The system monitors component changes and automatically updates connection settings, making the configuration process self-serving and eliminating manual time investment while preserving modularization benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If station numbers are changed due to system configuration changes, then system adaptability is improved, but it requires restarting engineering tools to reflect changes in apparatus connection information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem configuration flexibilityVSAvoidease of updating connection information

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engineering tool implements real-time feedback monitoring of component selections and system configuration changes. When station numbers or other connection parameters are modified, the system automatically detects these changes through feedback mechanisms and updates the apparatus connection information accordingly, eliminating the need for tool restarts while maintaining configuration flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The connection information system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. It automatically adapts to configuration changes by continuously monitoring component states and updating connection parameters in real-time. This dynamic behavior allows the system to maintain both adaptability to configuration changes and ease of operation without requiring restarts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If ladder programs and HMI screen components are written manually, then customization capability is improved, but significant user effort and time are required for setup

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization capabilityVSAvoiduser effort for setup

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the selection of modular components with the automatic generation of apparatus connection information into a single integrated operation. When users select or instantiate a component, both the program code and the corresponding connection settings are generated simultaneously, reducing user effort while preserving full customization capability through the modular component library.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9632496B2Engineering apparatus which associates programmable logic controller data with human machine interface data

Publication Date: 2017.04.25 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

An engineering apparatus for designing an FA system includes: a system-configuration-data generating unit that generates system configuration data that expresses a display apparatus and a control apparatus of an FA system that is an engineering target and a topology thereof; a component storing unit that stores a control component, a screen component, and label information as a set by associating the control component, the screen component, and the label information with each other by using a label name; a component allocating unit that performs allocation of the control component to the control apparatus; a component reflecting unit that renders the control component a usable state for generating; an apparatus-connection-information generating unit that automatically generates apparatus connection information; a label-device-information editing unit that edits actual device information that corresponds to label information; and a component resolving unit that renders the apparatus connection information and the actual device information.