Integrated Machine Control With Real-Time Sensor Data Fusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control devices in automation technology separate machine control and sensor data evaluation, requiring additional interfaces and units for effective data fusion and processing, which increases complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A control device that integrates machine control and sensor data evaluation through a single unit with a central processing unit and operating system, executing two user programs: one for machine control and another for sensor data evaluation, allowing for combined data processing and fusion at various levels without additional interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If machine control and sensor data evaluation are separated into different units, then each unit can be optimized independently, but the overall system complexity increases and additional interfaces are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines machine control and sensor data evaluation into a single integrated control device. The control device includes a control unit for machine control and an evaluation unit for sensor data evaluation, both within the same device. This merging eliminates the need for separate evaluation units and additional interfaces, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to independently optimize control and evaluation functions through modular software architecture.
2Measurement precision
If separate evaluation units are used for sensor data, then data processing can be specialized, but costs increase due to additional hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a machine controller and a sensor data evaluation unit. The control unit and evaluation unit share common hardware resources including processor, memory, and communication interfaces. This universal design allows specialized data processing capabilities to be achieved without requiring separate dedicated hardware, thereby reducing costs while maintaining high measurement precision through software-based evaluation algorithms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple interfaces are used for basic sensors and smart sensors, then data from different sensor types can be acquired, but the control device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach where the control device includes a unified communication interface that can handle both basic sensor data and smart sensor data. The evaluation unit acts as an intermediary layer that processes sensor data from multiple sources before presenting it to the control unit. This intermediary architecture enables versatile sensor compatibility while abstracting the complexity of multiple interfaces, as the control unit interacts with a standardized data format regardless of the sensor type.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device for machine control and sensor data evaluation. The control device includes a first interface to basic and composite sensors for machine control, a second interface to sensors for sensor data evaluation, a central processing unit, and an operating system for executing user programs using the central processing unit. The user programs include at least a first user program and a second user program. The first user program is a user program for machine control that executes a control function on the basis of an evaluation of the basic and composite sensors. The second user program is a user program for sensor data evaluation that evaluates sensor data received via the second interface.