Moving Machine Control for Dynamic Production Line Recombination

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Solution Overview

Problem

In production sites, the dynamic recombination of machines between different production lines is complicated due to increased memory usage and time required for setting user programs, especially when production types or quantities change, leading to inefficient operation.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes a first control device and one or more moving systems, where each moving system has a second control device, a storage part for user programs, and components like a search part, instruction part, and provision part to automatically find and position machines and provide linking user programs for efficient operation between production lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user programs are set in the control device for different production lines, then the machine can be operated on different production lines, but the memory usage capacity increases and the setting time and effort become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different production linesVSAvoidcomplexity of user program setting
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies copying by creating a master user program that contains common instructions applicable to multiple production lines. Instead of manually setting separate user programs for each production line, the system copies and reuses the master program, significantly reducing memory usage and setting complexity while maintaining adaptability to different production lines through parameter variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple user programs are set in the control device for different production lines, then the machine can be operated on different production lines, but the time and effort for setting user programs become complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different production linesVSAvoidtime for setting user programs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a master user program that encompasses all necessary instructions for operating on different production lines. This master program is prepared in advance and can be quickly activated or modified for different production scenarios, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual program setting each time the machine is relocated or reconfigured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the machine is dynamically recombined between production lines, then production flexibility increases, but the operation becomes inefficient due to complicated program setting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction flexibilityVSAvoidease of dynamic recombination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a single master user program that can serve multiple production lines and functions. This universal program structure allows the machine to be dynamically recombined between different production lines without requiring separate programming efforts, thereby maintaining production flexibility while significantly improving ease of operation.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3865965B1Control system and control method
Publication Date: 2024.01.03 OMRON CORP
  • EP3865965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3865965B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3865965B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This control system comprises: a search means that, among one or a plurality of moving systems, searches for the moving system that meets preset requirements; a command means that outputs to a moving mechanism included in the moving system being searched a command for linking a second equipment to be controlled included in the moving system being searched by the search means to a first equipment to be controlled, and moving to an operable position; and a provision means that provides to a storage means of a second control device included in the searched moving system a linking user program for controlling the second equipment to be controlled to be operated linked with the first equipment to be controlled. This makes it possible to efficiently perform dynamic recombination of the equipment to be controlled.