I/O Module Allocation Checking for Sensor Setting Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users cannot easily change setting values such as sampling number or sampling length for sensors connected to an I/O unit without risking storage capacity mismatches, leading to potential operation stops or incorrect operations.

Innovation Solution

The allocation management part judges and informs users of mismatches in storage capacity allocation, specifying required storage capacity based on changed setting values and automatically adjusting allocations to prevent such issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users enable to change the setting value (sampling number, sampling length) for each sensor connected to the I/O unit, then the adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but the risk of storage capacity mismatch increases, leading to potential operation stops or incorrect operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to change setting values for sensorsVSAvoidsystem stability against storage capacity mismatch
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The allocation management part performs preliminary checking of storage capacity allocation before the controller executes operations with changed setting values. It calculates required storage capacity based on sampling number and sampling length, compares it with allocated storage capacity, and warns users of potential mismatches before they cause operation stops or incorrect operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users about the allocation state between input data and storage area when setting values are changed. The allocation management part notifies users of storage capacity mismatches, enabling them to adjust allocations before executing operations, thus preventing reliability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If users manually determine and adjust storage area capacity allocation when changing setting values, then the storage capacity mismatch can be prevented, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the time-consuming process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacity allocation correctnessVSAvoidoperational convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The allocation management part automatically performs the checking and calculation of storage capacity allocation without requiring manual user intervention. It autonomously determines whether a mismatch occurs based on changed setting values and provides warnings, freeing users from time-consuming manual calculations while ensuring allocation correctness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the storage area capacity is increased to accommodate larger sampling numbers and lengths, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to dynamic allocation management requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in sampling parametersVSAvoidallocation management system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The allocation management part acts as an intermediary between the I/O unit and the controller, handling the complex task of storage capacity allocation checking. It receives setting value changes from the I/O unit, performs allocation verification, and communicates with the controller, thereby isolating the complexity from the main control flow while enabling flexible sampling parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3531218B1I/O module unit
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 OMRON CORP
  • EP3531218B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3531218B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3531218B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

Problems such as an operation stop of a controller caused by leaving out a mismatch requiring a change can be prevented. When a setting value is changed in a unit operation setting (61), an allocation management part (41) specifies a storage capacity required for a storage of input data based on the changed setting value, and judges whether a mismatch occurs in an allocation state between the input data and a storage area specified in an I/O allocation setting (64).