I/O Terminal Position Mapping for Flexible Machine Control Wiring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for generating control programs for machines, such as machine tools, often result in complicated electrical wiring arrangements due to the need to pre-allocate terminal addresses without considering the physical positions of input/output apparatuses, leading to entangled or crossed wires and limited flexibility in modifying connections.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow an operator to connect electrical wiring to input/output terminals while detecting and displaying position information, enabling the allocation of terminal positions to corresponding devices in the control program, allowing for easier and more organized wiring without pre-defined addresses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If terminal addresses are pre-allocated in the control program before connecting electrical wiring, then the control program can be generated in advance, but the electrical wiring becomes complicated and entangled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional sequence by allowing electrical wiring to be connected first without pre-defined address constraints, and then allocating terminal addresses based on the actual physical positions of connected devices. This reversal eliminates the contradiction by removing the premature address allocation that causes wiring complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic address allocation where terminal addresses are not fixed in advance but are assigned flexibly after observing the actual wiring configuration. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to the physical arrangement of devices, preventing wiring entanglement while still enabling control program generation.
2Ease of manufacture
If terminal addresses are allocated without considering the position of input/output apparatus, then address allocation is simple, but electrical wiring becomes complicated and requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allocating terminal addresses based on the specific physical positions and characteristics of input/output apparatus locations. Instead of uniform address allocation, the system considers the local spatial arrangement of devices and wiring paths, optimizing address assignment to minimize wiring complexity and space requirements.
3Productivity
If device connection positions are determined before wiring connection, then control program can be generated early, but flexibility in modifying connections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic address allocation that occurs after device connection, allowing the control program generation to be flexible rather than rigid. The system can adapt to different connection configurations by allocating addresses based on actual physical connections, maintaining both productivity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary device connection and physical wiring setup before allocating addresses and generating the control program. This preliminary action allows the physical configuration to be established first, providing flexibility, while the subsequent address allocation and program generation maintain productivity by following a systematic process.
Data Source
AI summary
The program generation apparatus includes a terminal detection unit for detecting position information including a position of a first terminal of an input/output apparatus to which an electrical wiring is connected. A display control unit displays, on a display part, a control program and position information of the first terminal detected by the terminal detection unit. The operation detection unit detects a symbol indicating the device specified by the operator. The setting unit allocates the position of the first terminal which is included in the position information of the first terminal to the symbol which is indicative of the device which has been detected by the operation detection unit.