Nuclear Safety HMI Hardware Logic for Traceable Display Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Human-machine interface devices for nuclear power plant safety systems face challenges in precise development/design process management, simplicity of functions, and transparency to third parties, which are contrary to the features of commercial products, leading to increased operator monitoring/operation load.

Innovation Solution

A human-machine interface device featuring a logic controller with hardware logic and a display device using hard switches, eliminating the need for software verification and providing a clear, traceable interface for operators, with a display controller converting logic unit information into pixels for a liquid crystal display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If commercial products with software-based control and multi-functionalization are used, then device functionality and adaptability are improved, but development process management complexity and traceability assurance difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoiddevelopment process management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is segmented into independent functional components: hard switches for input, display panel for output, and a logic controller with hardware logic for processing. This segmentation eliminates complex software layers while maintaining functionality, making development process management simpler and more traceable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces software-based control systems with hardware logic circuits. The logic controller uses combinatorial logic circuits and sequential logic circuits to perform control functions that would traditionally require software, thereby eliminating software verification needs and improving traceability while maintaining adaptability through hardware reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If software-based control systems are used, then multi-functionality is achieved, but verification and validation requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidverification and validation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes software control with hardware logic circuits that perform the same control functions. The logic controller uses combinational and sequential logic circuits to implement control logic that would traditionally require software, thereby eliminating software verification and validation requirements while maintaining multi-functionality through hardware reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of control implementation from software-based to hardware-based. By using hardware logic circuits with fixed or reconfigurable logic, the system maintains adaptability while eliminating the verification and validation burden associated with software systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If commercial products with black box technology management are used, then intellectual property protection is improved, but transparency and explanation to third parties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetechnical know-how protectionVSAvoidtransparency to third parties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is segmented into discrete hardware components with clear functional boundaries. The hard switches, display panel, and logic controller are separate entities with well-defined interfaces, making the system transparent and explainable to third parties while still protecting proprietary logic designs through hardware implementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces black box software systems with transparent hardware logic circuits. The logic controller's hardware implementation allows third parties to verify and understand the control logic through circuit analysis and testing, providing transparency while maintaining intellectual property protection through hardware design secrecy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3471108B1Human-machine interface device

Publication Date: 2021.01.20 HITACHI LTD

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AI summary

The present invention addresses the problem of satisfying items required of a safety protection system at a nuclear power plant, and reducing an operator's monitoring/operation burden. A human-machine interface device (5) as the solution to the problem is provided with: a logic controller (1) that is applied to the safety protection system of a nuclear power plant; and a display device (3) provided with a hard switch (38). The logic controller (1) is provided with: an interface (14) with an instrumentation control system that constitutes the nuclear power plant; a logic controller (11) that switches and controls information displayed on the display device (3) by the hard switch (38) on the basis of a hardware logic; and a display controller (22) that unfolds, on pixels, the display information from the logic controller (11), and outputs the display information on the display device (3).