Optical Data Transmission Device for Emergency Stop Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical data transmission devices used in automatic conveyance systems, such as stacker cranes, lack reliability for emergency stop signals, leading to potential safety issues and increased costs due to the need for extensive design changes and high-reliability optical data transmission devices that do not meet functional safety standards.
Innovation Solution
An optical data transmission device with movable communication units that convert wired-line data to optical signals and vice versa, incorporating bit data input and output units, diagnostic circuits, and redundant communication control units to ensure reliable communication of emergency stop signals without interfering with existing data transmission processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing optical data transmission devices are used for emergency stop signals, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability of information transmission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical data transmission device is segmented into separate communication paths: a first communication path for normal data transmission and a second communication path for emergency stop signals. This segmentation allows the emergency stop function to be isolated and optimized independently, improving reliability without requiring complete redesign of the entire transmission system.
Solution Approach 2:
A diagnostic circuit is introduced as an intermediary component that monitors the transmission status of emergency stop signals. This intermediary provides verification and feedback mechanisms that enhance the reliability of the transmission without requiring complex changes to the core optical communication infrastructure.
2Reliability
If high-reliability optical data transmission devices meeting functional safety standards are used, then reliability of information transmission is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides communication into separate paths for normal operations and emergency stop signals. This allows the emergency stop path to meet functional safety requirements without requiring the entire optical data transmission device to be redesigned as a high-reliability system, thereby reducing overall complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the specific communication path handling emergency stop signals is designed with high-reliability features and diagnostic capabilities, while other communication paths maintain their existing design. This localized approach to quality enhancement reduces the overall device complexity compared to making the entire system high-reliability.
3Reliability
If redundant communication control units and diagnostic circuits are added, then reliability of information transmission is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Redundant communication control units and diagnostic circuits are added only to the second communication path dedicated to emergency stop signals, not to the entire optical data transmission device. This segmented approach improves reliability for critical functions while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the reliability of information transmission in automatic conveyance systems by allowing secure communication of emergency stop signals without large design changes, meeting functional safety standards and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
transmits an optical signal, optically modulated based on the wired-line frame data which is input from the first data conversion unit, toward the second communication unit, and demodulates the wired-line frame data from an optical signal transmitted from the second communication unit
Data Source
AI summary
Reliable data transmission is secured without inviting large design changes by means of configuring an optical data transmission device in a manner so as to be provided with: data conversion units and optical communication control units that transmit to each of a first communication unit and a second communication unit disposed movably relative to one another an optical signal modulated in response to wired-line data input from a wired line, and that output wired-line data demodulated from the received optical signal to the wired line; a bit data input unit that receives input of bit data for emergency stops; a bit data output unit that outputs bit data for emergency stops; and bit data communication control units that control in a manner so as to transmit/receive input bit data via the optical communication control units using optical signals that are isolated from the optical signal corresponding to the wired-line data.