Master-Slave Axis Control Using Fixed-Length Abstracted Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional control systems are limited to specific types of master and slave devices with fixed numbers of control axes, restricting versatility and flexibility in controlling diverse devices with different axis configurations.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a master device control part, a slave device control part, and an abstracted information creation part, which processes master and slave information to create abstracted information with a fixed number of elements, allowing control of multiple types of devices with varying numbers of control axes by determining allocation and extraction methods based on predetermined tables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional control methods are used with fixed numbers of control axes, then control stability is maintained, but adaptability to different device types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different device typesVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system employs a universal information structure where master information and slave information are standardized into fixed-element arrays regardless of the actual number of control axes. This allows the same control framework to handle diverse device types (1-axis conveyors, 2-axis tables, 6-axis robots) through a single unified interface, achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate control systems for each device configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary information abstraction layer that mediates between the variable-number control axes of master/slave devices and the fixed-structure control framework. By converting device-specific axis information into standardized intermediate representations, the system enables seamless control of different device types while maintaining internal consistency and simplifying the overall control architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the control system supports multiple device types with different axis numbers, then versatility improves, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveversatility in device controlVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter structure of control information by transforming variable-length axis data into fixed-length standardized arrays. Master information and slave information are both converted to uniform formats with predetermined element counts, allowing the control system to process diverse device types through consistent parameter handling routines without requiring complex conditional logic for each device configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If fixed information structures are used for control, then processing efficiency is maintained, but flexibility in accommodating different device configurations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol processing efficiencyVSAvoidflexibility in device configurations
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary action by pre-defining the structure of master information and slave information before actual control operations begin. Information conversion tables and standardized data formats are established in advance, enabling the system to efficiently process any device configuration using pre-prepared processing templates rather than requiring runtime adaptation or complex dynamic structure creation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3528070B1Master and slave control system, control method, and program
Publication Date: 2023.04.19 OMRON CORP
  • EP3528070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3528070B1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP3528070B1 patent drawingFigure 3(A)~3(B)

AI summary

The control system (10) includes a master device control part (20) controlling a master device (101) with a certain number of control axes (m) by using master information (Mm) and a slave device control part (40) controlling a slave device (102) with a certain number of control axes (n) by using slave information (Sn). The control system (10) includes an abstracted master information creating part (31) for creating abstracted master information (AM6) having a fixed number of elements based on a predetermined manner for allocation and according to the number of elements of the received master information (Mm). The slave device control part (40) extracts elements in a number in accordance with the number of elements (n) of the slave information (Sn) from the fixed number of elements included in the abstracted master information (AM6) based on a predetermined manner for extraction to create the slave information (Sn).