Local Process Hardware Control With Auto-Adapting Information Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automation systems require reconfiguration and reprogramming of the information structure when changes occur in the technical hardware of a system module, making it difficult to add or replace sensors and actuators without disrupting the automation process.
Innovation Solution
An automation device with an electronic control unit that can autonomously detect structural changes in the technical hardware and adapt the information structure accordingly, allowing for the addition or removal of components without manual intervention, using an OPC-UA server to communicate with the higher-level process control level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the information structure is fixed and requires manual reconfiguration when hardware changes, then the system maintains stability and consistency, but the adaptability to hardware changes deteriorates and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The automation device autonomously detects structural changes in the technical hardware and automatically adapts the information structure without requiring manual reconfiguration. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment, allowing hardware modifications while maintaining operational continuity and eliminating the need for manual intervention in updating the information structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The information structure transitions from a static, fixed configuration to a dynamic structure that can automatically adapt to hardware changes. The system continuously monitors hardware status and dynamically updates the information structure to reflect current hardware configurations, enabling flexibility while maintaining system integrity.
2Reliability
If manual reprogramming is required for hardware changes, then the information structure remains consistent and reliable, but the time and cost for system adaptation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automation device implements a feedback mechanism that continuously monitors the technical hardware for structural changes. When changes are detected, the system automatically receives feedback about the hardware state and initiates appropriate adaptations of the information structure, ensuring consistency is maintained through continuous monitoring and automatic correction rather than manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the automation device with the capability to detect and respond to hardware changes. The information structure is designed in advance to be adaptable, with predefined protocols for detecting hardware modifications and automatically adjusting the structure accordingly, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual reprogramming.
3Measurement precision
If the information structure is recreated when hardware changes, then the system remains accurate, but the cost and complexity of maintenance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automation device autonomously detects structural changes in the technical hardware and automatically adapts the information structure without requiring manual reconfiguration. The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment, allowing hardware modifications while maintaining operational continuity and eliminating the need for manual intervention in updating the information structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of completely recreating the information structure, the system makes targeted parameter changes to adapt to hardware modifications. The automation device identifies specific hardware changes and adjusts only the relevant parameters in the information structure, maintaining accuracy while reducing the complexity and cost associated with full system reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation device for local control of a technical hardware of a system module, wherein the technical hardware of the system module is provided for carrying out a technical sub-process. An electronic control unit provides for local control of the technical hardware of the system module, and an electronic interface unit is connectable to the electronic control unit. The electronic interface unit comprises a server that has a predetermined information structure with static and dynamic information, wherein the static information of the information structure describes the technical hardware of the system module, and the electronic control unit writes the dynamic information into the information structure as time-variable values dependent on the technical hardware. The automation device is designed to detect a structural change of the technical hardware of the system module based on a signal of a component of the technical hardware.