Fluid Mixing Platform Reconfiguration via Hardware Abstraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid mixing and dispensing systems require redesign or replacement when new or different hardware components are installed, as control systems are typically designed for specific configurations, limiting flexibility and efficiency in accommodating varying hardware setups.
Innovation Solution
A modular plural component platform with a common control system, user interface, and hardware abstraction layer that allows for reconfiguration by loading interchangeable software modules corresponding to specific hardware components, enabling efficient operation across various fluid mixing and dispensing applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a control system is designed for a specific configuration of component hardware, then the system operates reliably for that configuration, but the system cannot accommodate new or different component hardware without redesign or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed with a universal architecture that can operate with multiple different configurations of component hardware. The hardware abstraction layer provides standardized interfaces that allow the same control system to work with various sensors, flow meters, and mixing components without requiring redesign, thus achieving both reliability and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
A hardware abstraction layer is introduced as an intermediary between the control system and the component hardware. This abstraction layer translates diverse hardware interfaces into standardized commands, allowing the control system to interact with different hardware configurations through a unified interface, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling versatility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the control system is redesigned or replaced to accommodate new hardware components, then the system can support new configurations, but the process is time-consuming and reduces operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The universal control system architecture allows new hardware components to be integrated without redesign by providing standardized communication protocols and interfaces. This eliminates the time-consuming redesign process while maintaining the ability to support new configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The hardware abstraction layer is pre-configured with knowledge of various hardware components and their interfaces. This preliminary preparation allows the control system to quickly adapt to new hardware configurations through software module loading rather than requiring time-consuming physical redesign or replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a common control system is used for diverse hardware setups, then flexibility and operational efficiency are enhanced, but the complexity of managing multiple hardware configurations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hardware abstraction layer serves as an intermediary that manages the complexity of diverse hardware configurations. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies control system programming while handling the complexity of different hardware interfaces internally, thus reducing the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into modular components, with the hardware abstraction layer separated from the core control logic. This segmentation allows the complex hardware interface management to be isolated in a dedicated layer, making the overall system easier to manage and maintain while preserving flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving, via a processor, a unit configuration for a fluid mixing and dispensing system, where the unit configuration includes one or more fluid hardware components. The method also includes determining one or more software modules corresponding to the one or more fluid hardware components and configuring a modular plural component platform by loading the one or more software modules corresponding to the one or more fluid hardware components.