Fieldbus Coupling Control for Safe Interchangeable Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation systems lack a method to establish slot-dependent, functionally safe fieldbus connections without the need for a setting device like a DIL switch, which is essential for ensuring secure communication and operation in environments such as tool changers and clamping frames.
Innovation Solution
The automation system employs a security program to manage exclusive access to interchangeable devices, using a token-based system where automation devices acquire and manage tokens in a virtual ring to control coupling and decoupling, ensuring a functionally safe connection is established and maintained, and then released, thereby avoiding malfunctions caused by errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a setting device like a DIL switch is used to define a safety-oriented identification address, then functional safety and secure communication are achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to manual configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The automation device automatically determines its own slot-dependent address through the security program and token-based authentication mechanism, eliminating the need for manual configuration devices like DIL switches. The system self-configures by acquiring tokens and establishing functionally safe connections based on its assigned slot, thereby maintaining functional safety while reducing device complexity and improving ease of operation.
2Productivity
If multiple automation devices can access interchangeable devices simultaneously, then productivity and ease of operation improve, but functional safety deteriorates due to potential unauthorized connections and errors
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic token acquisition and validation cycles where automation devices must continuously maintain their functionally safe connections through regular security authentication. The token-based system requires devices to periodically prove their authorization to access interchangeable devices, ensuring that productivity is maintained through multiple access opportunities while functional safety is preserved through continuous verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The security program implements feedback mechanisms where the automation device receives confirmation of successful token acquisition and connection establishment. The system monitors the status of functionally safe connections and provides feedback on authorization states, allowing the automation device to adjust its access behavior accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that productivity is not compromised while maintaining strict control over connection safety.
3Reliability
If exclusive access control is implemented through a security program and token system, then functional safety improves by preventing unauthorized connections, but device complexity increases due to the virtual ring and token management mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The security program and virtual ring infrastructure serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide exclusive access control, establish functionally safe connections, manage token distribution, and enable slot-dependent addressing. By making the security infrastructure multi-functional, the system achieves high connection security without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same mechanisms handle multiple safety and access control tasks.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an automation system (1) comprising: - a fieldbus (FB), - at least two automation devices (H1, H2, H3) which are permanently connected to the fieldbus (FB), - at least two coupling points (S1, S2, S3) which are designed such that automated coupling and uncoupling of a removable device (G1, G2, G3) to the fieldbus (FB) is possible, wherein the removable devices (G1, G2, G3) are designed to establish a functionally safe connection with the automation devices (H1, H2, H3) via the fieldbus (FB), wherein the functional safety thereby achieved serves to prevent malfunctions due to errors, wherein the automation devices (H1, H2, H3) are designed to acquire exclusive access to one of the removable devices (G1, G2, G3) by means of a safety program (P1, P2, P3) and, after receiving access authorization, to couple a removable device (G1, G2, G3) to a coupling point (S1, S2,S3) to initiate and control, further configured to establish a functionally safe connection to the removable device (G1, G2, G3) after coupling, and to send commands to the removable device (G1, G2, G3), further configured to disconnect the functionally safe connection to the currently coupled removable device (G1, G2, G3) and to initiate and control the disconnection of the removable device (G1, G2, G3) from the coupling point (S1, S2, S3), wherein the safety program (P1, P2, P3) is further configured to release exclusive access to the removable device (G1, G2, G3).