Industrial Machine Communication Using Segmented Periodic Regions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In production systems where industrial machines periodically communicate, the lack of dedicated communication regions for non-periodic data transmission leads to unpredictable and prolonged data transmission times, making it difficult to guarantee the required time period for data transmission.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a production system that utilizes multiple periodic regions within a single period for data transmission between industrial machines, allowing for dedicated communication channels and efficient data transfer by dividing data into portions and transmitting each portion in designated periodic regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If non-periodic data is transmitted in free time periods without dedicated communication regions, then the communication system maintains simplicity, but the data transmission time becomes unpredictable and prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication system structureVSAvoiddata transmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The communication period is segmented into multiple periodic regions, with each region dedicated to specific communication tasks. This segmentation allows non-periodic data to be transmitted in designated regions rather than in unpredictable free time periods, thereby reducing transmission time while maintaining systematic organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Communication regions are pre-configured and assigned before data transmission begins. By establishing dedicated periodic regions in advance, the system eliminates the need for ad-hoc communication scheduling, ensuring predictable and efficient data transmission without requiring complex real-time adjustments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If multiple types of data are transmitted in the same communication period without dedicated regions, then the communication protocol remains simple, but transmission interference occurs and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication protocol structureVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication period is divided into multiple distinct periodic regions, with each region dedicated to specific data types or communication tasks. This spatial and temporal separation prevents transmission interference between different data streams while maintaining protocol organization, thereby improving reliability without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different periodic regions are assigned different communication characteristics and purposes. By giving each region specialized functionality (e.g., control data, sensor data, non-periodic data), the system ensures that each type of data receives appropriate transmission resources and timing, reducing interference and improving overall communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3869745B1Production system, communication method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • EP3869745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3869745B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3869745B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a production system (1) including: a first industrial machine (20); and a second industrial machine (30) configured to periodically communicate to and from the first industrial machine (20). The second industrial machine (30) includes a transmission module (302) configured to transmit data on the second industrial machine (30) to the first industrial machine (20) through use of each of a plurality of periodic regions included in one period.