Modular Electropneumatic Assembly for Adjustable Air Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electropneumatic field devices have a fixed and limited air capacity, requiring significant assembly effort and design changes to adjust to changing process conditions, and lack modularity to easily exchange components without interrupting system operation.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of modular electronic and pneumatic components with interchangeable slots allows for easy access and exchange of components like electropneumatic converters, microprocessors, and data memories, enabling adjustable air output and control routines without disrupting the process, reducing the need for separate volume boosters and minimizing assembly effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed and limited air capacity components are used in electropneumatic field devices, then device structure is simplified, but adaptability to changing process conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electropneumatic field device is divided into modular components that can be independently selected and configured. Each module performs a specific function (electronic component, pneumatic component, transducer) and can be combined in different configurations to adapt to varying process requirements without redesigning the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular architecture enables a single device platform to serve multiple functions by swapping components. The same base unit can be configured for different air capacities, control routines, and operational modes by changing the inserted modules, making the device universally applicable to various process conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If component exchange is required to adjust air output, then adaptability improves, but assembly effort and system interruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into plug-and-play modules with standardized interfaces. Components can be independently replaced without affecting other parts of the system, significantly reducing assembly effort compared to traditional fixed designs where component changes require extensive disassembly and reconfiguration.
3Ease of operation
If modular components with interchangeable slots are introduced, then ease of component exchange improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into independent modular components with standardized interfaces and mounting slots. This segmentation enables easy exchange of components while the standardization of interfaces and mounting mechanisms keeps the overall structural complexity manageable through repetition of proven design patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular slot design allows the device configuration to be dynamically changed by inserting or removing components. The standardized slots provide a consistent interface that simplifies the exchange process, making the system adaptable without requiring complex reconfiguration mechanisms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The device (7) has electronics and/or pneumatics component that are connected to an electrical field input unit (18). A network output unit (A1-A4) is provided to output an array output signal (S1-S4) based on the field signal received over the electrical field input unit. Electronics and/or pneumatics components and modular slots (23a-23d) are tuned with one another, such that electrical interfaces (33a-33d,35a-35d,37a-37d) for the occupancy of modular slots are overlapped into one another. An independent claim is included for an electro-pneumatic component.