Motor Controller Configuration via Batch Setting Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial equipment adjustment requires significant time and labor as users must connect to each device separately to adjust settings, leading to inefficiencies in production and management.

Innovation Solution

An industrial equipment production system that includes a register to acquire and store setting information, a receiver to process production instructions, and an identifier to associate setting information with production orders, allowing for centralized management and automation of adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users connect to each device separately to adjust settings, then each device can be configured individually, but significant time and labor are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of device configurationVSAvoidtime required for adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual device configuration operations into a single batch operation. The management terminal connects to multiple motor control devices simultaneously and applies setting information to all devices in one action, rather than requiring separate connections and adjustments for each device. This combining approach directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining individual device configurability while eliminating the time-consuming repetitive connection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring setting information on the management terminal before actual device deployment. The setting information is prepared, validated, and stored in advance, then automatically applied to multiple devices during batch configuration. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for on-site individual adjustment, significantly reducing the time and labor required during device installation and commissioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If users manually adjust each device, then precise control over each device is achieved, but productivity decreases due to repetitive manual work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of device settingsVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating and storing setting information templates on the management terminal that can be replicated across multiple motor control devices. The same validated configuration can be copied to numerous devices simultaneously, ensuring consistent precise settings without requiring manual adjustment of each device. This copying mechanism maintains manufacturing precision while dramatically improving productivity by eliminating repetitive manual work.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the management terminal to automatically connect to motor control devices and apply configuration settings without requiring manual intervention for each device. The automated batch configuration process performs the adjustment work autonomously, maintaining precise control through programmed settings while freeing operators from repetitive manual tasks, thus improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If centralized management system is implemented, then automation and efficiency improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of configuration processVSAvoidcomplexity of management system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management terminal is designed with universality to perform multiple functions: it can connect to various motor control devices, store setting information templates, manage batch operations, and handle device identification. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional platform, the system achieves high automation without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same core infrastructure supports multiple operational requirements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The management terminal serves as an intermediary between operators and multiple motor control devices. It abstracts the complexity of individual device connections and configurations, providing a simplified unified interface for batch operations. This intermediary layer handles the automated communication and coordination with multiple devices, reducing the apparent complexity for users while enabling sophisticated automated management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9880546B2Industrial equipment production system and method for configuring a motor controller using public and secret information
Publication Date: 2018.01.30 YASKAWA DENKI KK
  • US9880546B2 patent drawing
  • US9880546B2 patent drawing
  • US9880546B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A register of an industrial equipment production system acquires setting information adjusted in an industrial equipment and registers the setting information in a server. A receiver receives a production instruction for the industrial equipment. An identifier identifies, in a case where the production instruction is received, the setting information on the industrial equipment to be produced in accordance with the production instruction based on the setting information registered in the server.