Graphical Configuration Tool for Drive System Safety Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for designing safety-related circuits and drive systems lack a straightforward method for ensuring safety category compliance, often leading to overlooked components and potential destructive interferences, which can reduce the achieved safety level.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented library with diagrams that depict system components and safety functionalities, allowing for automated selection and configuration using a graphical user interface, ensuring that all components are designed to meet specific safety requirements, thus preventing human errors and ensuring fail-safe operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual configuration methods are used for drive systems, then flexibility in customization is improved, but the risk of human error and overlooked safety components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining safety-relevant wiring diagrams with all necessary safety components and connections already configured. The system provides pre-configured templates that automatically ensure safety category compliance, eliminating the need for manual safety verification during configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration system that acts as a mediator between user requirements and safety compliance. This system automatically checks and validates configurations against safety standards, ensuring that customization does not compromise safety requirements.
2Reliability
If comprehensive safety checks are implemented for all components, then the safety category achieved is improved, but the complexity of the configuration process increases
Solution Approach 1:
Safety checks are performed in advance during the creation of wiring diagrams, not during user configuration. The system pre-validates all safety connections and components, so users simply select from pre-validated options rather than performing complex safety verification themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration system automatically performs safety verification without requiring manual intervention. The system self-checks configurations against safety standards, automatically identifying and correcting potential safety issues without adding complexity to the user process.
3Productivity
If automated selection tools are used for system configuration, then the time required for configuration is reduced, but the precision of safety requirements fulfillment may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
An automated intermediary system serves as a bridge between user input and safety compliance. This system automatically interprets configuration requirements, selects appropriate safety components, and validates connections against safety standards, ensuring both speed and precision in safety fulfillment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automated feedback mechanisms that continuously verify configuration accuracy against safety requirements. The automated tools provide real-time validation and correction suggestions, ensuring that speed gains do not compromise the precision of safety requirements fulfillment.
Data Source
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AI summary
This document describes a configuration tool for securely configuring a system with a defined safety category and safety functionality. It uses only pre-built diagrams for every possible configuration variant, and no rule set is required for verifying and/or determining the safety category.