Injection Molding Machine Terminal Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote operation systems for injection molding machines restrict operations due to distance, potentially lowering user convenience and compromising safety, as they do not effectively differentiate between local and remote user access levels.

Innovation Solution

An injection molding machine system with a control unit that manages identification information to differentiate operable content based on the connection method (local network vs. predetermined network) between terminals, allowing for restricted access to ensure safety while maintaining user convenience.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If remote operation is restricted due to separation distance, then safety is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different operation restrictions based on the terminal's connection type. Local terminals (directly connected to the control unit) are granted full operation permissions, while remote terminals (connected through predetermined networks) are restricted to specific operations. This differentiated approach allows users to operate the machine conveniently from various locations while maintaining safety by limiting remote operational capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If all operations are restricted for remote terminals, then safety is improved, but user convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoiduser convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of completely restricting all operations for remote terminals, the system allows certain operations to be performed remotely while restricting others. Specifically, terminals connected through predetermined networks can execute read commands to access operation information but are restricted from executing write commands that would directly control the working unit. This partial permission approach maintains safety while preserving user convenience for monitoring and information access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If local terminals have full operation access, then user convenience is improved, but security against unauthorized operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidunauthorized operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit acts as an intermediary that mediates between terminals and the working unit. It receives operation information from terminals, determines whether to execute the operations based on terminal connection type and authentication, and then controls the working unit accordingly. This intermediary mechanism allows convenient local operation while preventing unauthorized operations by filtering and validating all commands before execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3466638B1Injection molding machine
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3466638B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3466638B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3466638B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an injection molding machine in which it is possible to achieve both safety and user' convenience. Therefore, an injection molding machine (1) includes a working unit (3) which performs work to produce a molding product from a molding material, and a control unit (70) which controls the working unit (3), in which the control unit (70) makes an operable content of the working unit (3) or the control unit (70) different between a case of operation input from a first terminal (100; 100A) which is communicably connected to the control unit (70) and can execute an operation of the working unit (3) or the control unit (70), and a case of operation input from a second terminal (200) which is different from the first terminal (100; 100A), is communicably connected to the control unit (70) through a predetermined network (150), and can execute an operation of the working unit (3) or the control unit (10).