Injection Molding Network Relay Routing for Data Loss Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In injection molding systems, communication failures between machines and management devices can lead to temporary data accumulation, risking loss of operational information due to limited memory capacity, especially during prolonged failures, which hampers reliable data acquisition by management devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a network configuration where injection molding machines can transmit operational information to management devices through alternative routes, using other machines as relays to bypass failed communication links, ensuring continuous data transmission and reducing memory overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is temporarily accumulated in internal memory during communication failure, then data can be stored for later transmission, but the limited memory capacity causes data loss during prolonged failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidmemory capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces another injection molding machine as an intermediary relay node. When the management device is unreachable, data is transmitted to a neighboring machine instead of being stored in limited internal memory. This intermediary machine forwards the data when communication is restored, effectively extending the system's data transmission capability beyond the constraints of individual machine memory capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If data is accumulated in internal memory during communication failure, then transmission can resume when communication is restored, but restoration time delays complete data acquisition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata acquisition reliabilityVSAvoidrestoration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous data transmission by establishing alternative transmission paths through neighboring machines. Instead of pausing data collection during communication failures and resuming later (which causes time loss), the system maintains continuous operation by routing data through available machines, ensuring no data is lost and no time is wasted waiting for restoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Device complexity

If a single network route is used for data transmission, then the network structure is simple, but communication failure on this route prevents data transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork structure complexityVSAvoiddata transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic route selection capability where the network can adaptively change transmission paths based on communication status. When the direct route to the management device fails, the system dynamically switches to alternative routes through neighboring machines. This dynamic adaptability provides redundancy without requiring complex pre-configured multiple permanent paths, balancing simplicity and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3628467B1Injection molding system and injection molding machine
Publication Date: 2021.08.25 SUMITOMO HEAVY IND LTD
  • EP3628467B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3628467B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The injection molding system includes a management device (100) and a plurality of injection molding machines (1) that constitute a network (NW1) along with the management device (100). In the injection molding system, each of the plurality of injection molding machines (1) transmits predetermined information in operation to the management device (100) through the network (NW1). Predetermined information of an injection molding machine (1A) is transmitted to the management device (100) by way of an injection molding machine (1B) among the plurality of injection molding machines (1) along a route different from a route of the injection molding machine (1A) corresponding to the network (NW1).