Interactive Machine Control via Manual Teaching and Logical Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling injection molding machines require significant knowledge of the control system and do not facilitate the creation of operational sequences, especially for complex processes, as they often restrict operator input to plausible commands based on the machine's state, limiting flexibility and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
The method involves a teaching process where the operator manually guides machine components to new positions, which are then confirmed and integrated into the operational sequence, allowing only logically consistent actions, thereby simplifying the creation of operational sequences by enabling manual input and logical checks to ensure plausibility before implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the control system restricts operator input to plausible commands based on machine state, then operational safety and logical consistency are improved, but operator flexibility and ease of creating operational sequences deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control system pre-calculates and stores all plausible commands and their valid execution contexts in advance. During operation, the system simply checks whether the current machine state matches the pre-determined valid contexts, allowing operators to select from pre-validated options without complex real-time logical checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediate validation layer that sits between the operator's command selection and the actual machine execution. This intermediary automatically checks command plausibility against the current machine state using pre-stored logical rules, preventing illogical commands from being executed while maintaining a simple operator interface.
2Reliability
If the system offers only a selected collection of plausible input commands, then operational safety is improved, but the ability to handle complex processes and peripheral equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The collection of plausible commands is not static but dynamically adapts to the current machine state and the complexity of the process being executed. As operators work through complex operational sequences, the system automatically expands the available command options to include those necessary for handling peripheral equipment and multi-step processes, while maintaining logical consistency checks.
3Ease of operation
If manual teaching process is allowed with logical checks, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity and potential for erroneous commands deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
During the teaching process, the control system automatically performs logical consistency checks on commands as they are being recorded, providing real-time feedback to operators about potential errors. The system serves itself by validating its own input during the teaching phase, reducing the need for complex post-teaching validation while maintaining operational safety.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the interactive control of a machine (14), wherein the operating parameters required for the work flow (18) of the machine are input into a data processing unit (12) storing the operating parameters in a form that guides the operator. Due to the input, subsequently work flows are carried out. A data set regarding the basic rules of the work flow of the machine is present in the data processing unit. Using the data set, a chosen selection of possibilities existing based on the machine equipment and environment is provided to the operator as the result, which contains further sections that can be inserted into the existing work flow (18) in a compatible manner. Due to the fact that an action is carried out based on an initial state present on the machine, at the end of which the machine is in a current state, and that said current state or the change between the initial state and the new current state that has occurred is taught, verified, and added to the new current state via a teaching unit (20) as a new component for transfer into the work flow of the machine to be programmed, wherein a logic examination of the action is already carried out for the operability thereof during the action, the method is further improved in that the compilation of a flow is facilitated, even having little knowledge of the control.