Parallel Power Interrupting Circuits for PLC Diagnostics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing power-supply control devices cannot diagnose the normal operation of interrupting circuits without stopping the power supply to the load, which affects productivity.

Innovation Solution

A power-supply control device with multiple parallel interrupting circuits and a control circuit that allows for separate control of each circuit, enabling diagnosis without interrupting power supply by using a passage permitting signal to assess circuit functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the interrupting circuit is operated for diagnosis, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the power supply to the load is interrupted and productivity is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidproductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply system is divided into multiple independent power interrupting circuits (first power interrupting circuit, second power interrupting circuit, etc.) that can be controlled separately. This segmentation allows one circuit to be diagnosed without affecting the operation of other circuits, enabling diagnosis without stopping the entire power supply to the load.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of stopping all power interrupting circuits for diagnosis, only the specific circuit to be diagnosed is temporarily stopped while other circuits continue to supply power to the load. This partial action allows diagnosis of individual circuits without affecting overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If the interrupting circuit is operated for diagnosis, then the reliability verification is improved, but the load stops operation and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability verificationVSAvoidtime

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into multiple independently controllable power interrupting circuits, allowing diagnosis of one circuit while others remain operational. This eliminates the need to stop the entire system for reliability verification, reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power supply to the load is maintained continuously through other operational power interrupting circuits during the diagnosis of a specific circuit. This ensures that useful action (power supply) continues without interruption while reliability verification is performed on the diagnostic target circuit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If multiple power interrupting circuits are provided with separate control, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply control is divided into multiple separate power interrupting circuits, each with independent control. This segmentation enables targeted diagnosis of individual circuits without requiring complex centralized diagnostic systems, as each circuit can be tested independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each power interrupting circuit is designed with the same structure and control mechanism, making them universal and interchangeable. This multi-functionality allows any circuit to serve as a diagnostic target while others maintain normal operation, improving diagnostic capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9952286B2Power-supply control device and programmable logic controller

Publication Date: 2018.04.24 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

AI summary

A power-supply control device includes a power-source input terminal, an output circuit outputting power to load, power interrupting circuits connected in parallel between the power-source input terminal and the output circuit, and a control circuit controlling each power interrupting circuit separately. Each power interrupting circuit includes an interrupting circuit and a switch element connected in series between the power-source input terminal and the output circuit. The interrupting circuit permits power to pass when receiving a passage permitting signal from the control circuit and interrupts passage of power when not receiving the passage permitting signal. ON/OFF of the switch element is controlled by the control circuit. When any of the power interrupting circuits is set as a diagnostic target circuit, the control circuit stops supplying the passage permitting signal to the interrupting circuit of the diagnostic target circuit and turns off the switch element of the diagnostic target circuit.