IO-Link Master Power Switching for Selective Device Shutdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional factory automation systems lack the ability to selectively stop power supply to specific devices while maintaining power to others, leading to inefficient device replacement and potential safety hazards, especially with the increasing use of the IO-Link protocol.
Innovation Solution
A relay device with a designation receiving unit and power supply state switching units that allow for the selective stopping of power supply to designated devices while maintaining power to others, using a power supply control unit to manage the power supply state switching units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power supply is stopped to replace a device, then safety is improved, but power supply to other devices is also stopped causing operational inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply control is segmented into individual device-level control. Each device has its own power supply state switching unit that can be independently controlled, allowing selective power supply stopping to only the target device while maintaining power to other devices, thus resolving the contradiction between safety and operational efficiency
2Productivity
If power supply is maintained to enable device replacement, then operational efficiency is improved, but safety risk increases due to potential immediate operation of replaced device
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply state switching unit is activated in advance to stop power supply to the target device before the replacement process begins. This preliminary action ensures that even if the replaced device is immediately connected, it cannot operate, thereby eliminating safety risks while maintaining operational efficiency
3Reliability
If power supply is stopped to all devices, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for individual device control
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply control unit serves multiple functions: it can stop power supply to individual devices, maintain power to other devices, and provide centralized control over all power supply state switching units. This multi-functionality allows safety control without proportionally increasing system complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The purpose of the present invention is to stop the power supply to a specified device among a plurality of devices to be supplied with power, and maintain the power supply to the other device. An IO-Link master (1) is provided with: an upper-level communication control unit (101) which receives a specification of a device to which the power supply is to be stopped; and a power supply control unit (102) which controls a device power supply switching unit (103) corresponding to the device to which the power supply is to be stopped, to stop the power supply to said device while maintaining the power supply to the other device.