Motor Safety Trace Visualization for Compliance Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users cannot immediately determine whether safety function specifications are satisfied through existing data tracing functions, as they only output results without clear indication of compliance.

Innovation Solution

A control system that displays safety parameters superimposed on tracing results, allowing users to easily compare state values with safety parameters on a graph, including lower and upper limit values, to determine compliance with safety specifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If data tracing function outputs only raw results, then data processing complexity is reduced, but user ability to determine safety compliance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing complexityVSAvoidcompliance determination ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that receives raw tracing data, automatically compares it against safety parameters, and generates compliance determination results. This intermediary layer handles the complex comparison logic, keeping the raw data processing simple while providing easy-to-interpret compliance results to users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically comparing tracing data with safety parameters and generating compliance determinations without requiring user intervention. The system autonomously processes the data, identifies compliance status, and presents results, reducing both processing complexity and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If safety parameters are displayed separately from tracing results, then data clarity is improved, but ease of comparison is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata clarityVSAvoidcomparison ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the display of safety parameters with tracing results into a unified visualization. Both datasets are presented together in the same interface, allowing users to directly compare actual values against safety limits without switching between separate displays, thus improving comparison ease while maintaining data clarity through structured presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a visual dimension to the data presentation by using graphical displays that show both tracing results and safety parameters simultaneously. This dimensional approach allows users to perceive relationships and compliance status visually, making comparison easier while preserving the clarity of individual data elements through layered visualization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3859454B1Control system
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 OMRON CORP
  • EP3859454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3859454B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3859454B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a control system that outputs determination information on whether or not safety function specifications are satisfied. The control system comprises: first and second controllers (100, 200); a drive device (300); and a data trace module (154) that traces a state value indicating an operation state of a motor (400). The drive device (300) comprises: a storage for storing safety parameters related to the safety functions; and a control device (311) that stops driving of the motor (400) on the basis of the safety parameters and a state value indicating an operation state of the motor (400). The control system further comprises: a support device (500) that displays the safety parameters while overlapping a tracing result of the state value obtained by the data tracing module (154).