Industrial Machine Configuration Templates for Multi-Device Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing complexity of configuring industrial machines with numerous interconnected devices leads to confusion and error-prone settings, as dependencies between devices are often not readily recognizable, resulting in additional sources of error.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an electronic configuration system with predefined templates that assign device parameters based on desired machine functions, automatically accounting for device interactions and dependencies, thereby simplifying the configuration process by generating parameter sets for multiple devices at once.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If each device is configured individually, then device-specific parameters can be set precisely, but configuration complexity increases and errors multiply due to unrecognizable dependencies between devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the configuration process into two distinct levels: template-level configuration (defining functional relationships and dependencies) and device-level configuration (generating specific parameters). This segmentation allows users to work with abstract functional models first, then automatically derive device-specific settings, reducing complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining configuration templates that encode device dependencies and relationships before actual device configuration. These templates establish the functional architecture and parameter relationships in advance, so that when devices are configured, the dependencies are already resolved and parameters can be automatically generated without manual coordination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If configuration templates are created for each project, then project-specific requirements are met, but configuration effort is repeated unnecessarily across similar projects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables copying and reusing configuration templates across multiple projects. Once a template is created for a particular machine function or device combination, it can be replicated and adapted for similar projects, eliminating the need to recreate configurations from scratch while maintaining project-specific customization through template parameter adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes configuration templates universal by designing them to be applicable across multiple projects and device combinations. Templates define generic functional relationships that can be instantiated with different specific parameters for different projects, allowing one template to serve multiple purposes and reducing repetitive configuration work.
3Reliability
If device dependencies are manually identified and configured, then correct device interactions are achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the configuration system to automatically identify device dependencies and generate parameter sets based on predefined templates. The system self-configures device interactions by deriving parameters from template definitions and automatically transferring them to devices, eliminating manual dependency tracking while ensuring correctness through template-based constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the configuration system automatically validates parameter consistency and device dependency satisfaction. The system provides feedback on configuration completeness and correctness, automatically detecting and resolving conflicts between device parameters based on template-defined relationships, thereby ensuring reliability without manual verification.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for configuring at least one industrial machine, wherein the machine comprises several separate devices, for example field devices, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and/or fieldbuses, wherein an electronic configuration system is used to: - provide a predefined configuration template, wherein at least two separate devices of the machine are assigned to the configuration template, - use the configuration template to configure at least one function of the industrial machine, - generate a parameter set with device parameters for each of the two separate devices from the configured function, wherein the configuration template comprises a device parameter rule set, wherein the device parameters are determined by means of the device parameter rule set, - transfer the parameter set to the two separate devices to configure the devices.